Colorado Avalanche: Don’t let the Home Stand Turn Disastrous

The Colorado Avalanche would do well to complete their home stand with a win against the New York Rangers.

The Colorado Avalanche are looking for their first win of 2019, and boy oh boy would they like it to come tonight in the second game of the season before that countdown becomes a thing.

Because the other countdown is already a thing. The Avalanche have lost six straight. What’s more, those losses have seen them freefall out of the number-three spot in the Central Division to first wild card spot. And they don’t want to freefall any further.

They also don’t want an unsuccessful home stand — only one loser point in three games — turn downright disastrous — only one loser point in four games.

This is the second and last time the Avalanche are facing the New York Rangers, who are coming off a 7-2 pounding by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The two teams faced each other in October, when Colorado lost in New York in the shootout.

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: January 4, 7:00 pm MT
TV Networks: ALT, MSG2 (Rangers’ Feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)

Overtime Woes

The Colorado Avalanche are the worst team in the NHL for the overtime. They’ve only won once in eight tries. As noted above, they lost in the shootout — their only one this season — to the Rangers already.

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So, the conventional wisdom would be to win in regulation. However, lately the Avalanche have loved to fall well behind and play catch up.

It seems crazy to me that a format that favors skating and offensive skill would so disfavor the Avs, who are build around skating and offensive skill. However, the three-on-three format also favors possession, which has bee Colorado’s Achilles heel for some time now.

Indeed, part of their problem stems from failing to win faceoffs. Once you lose possession in overtime, as happens when you lose the faceoff, it’s notoriously difficult to get it back.

Limit the Mistakes

You know what else causes the Avalanche to lose at possession — and just plain lose? Turnovers. Lots and lots of turnovers. That is the biggest mistake the team makes.

This team literally turns the puck over at every position on the ice and in every situation. It’s almost like they’re looking for new ways to turn over the puck.

And when that’s not the big problem, especially in overtime, they tend to blow their assignments. Coach Jared Bednar came as close as he has in a long time to calling players out when he pointed out that Mikko Rantanen was responsible for the LA Kings overtime loss.

And what’s with the defense on the penalty kill? Stop chasing players around — you can’t play man-on-man defense when you’re down a man. Box the play out like a proper penalty kill.

Oof. The Avs has a lot of hockey mistakes then need to clean up.

Warm Up the Home Cooking

Ok, moving on. For the game against the San Jose Sharks, we had to listen to the NBC feed. I generally don’t like the national broadcasts, but you do get to hear a little bit more honesty when it’s not your guys.

One of the things the broadcasters remarked on more than once was how great a building the Pepsi Center is. They remarked on how the crowd could be a real factor when the fans got to buzzing. 🤗

Altitude is a factor here, too, and I’m just waiting for the day the Avalanche players are able to use it to their advantage. Maybe that day will be tonight, with the sea-level playing Rangers. Colorado needs to just not be scrambling in the third so they can force New York to scramble.

And utilize that last change to make the matchups you want. Colorado is still a one-line team for the most part. Don’t let the Rangers shut that down.

After tonight, the Colorado Avalanche head out on an epic two-week, five-game road trip across Canada. I actually have high hopes for this epic roadie. But there’s no reason the team shouldn’t send themselves off with a pleasant win at home.