Colorado Avalanche: Can They String Three Wins Together?

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 20: Jonathan Toews
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 20: Jonathan Toews

The Colorado Avalanche start their road back-to-back series with a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Can they string three wins together?

The Colorado Avalanche are dancing in and out of a playoff spot. We woke up yesterday morning with a playoff berth and went to sleep back out, thanks to the (hated) Minnesota Wild. Well, the Avs can’t control what happens in other games, but they can control what happens in their own.

That’s the hope anyway, that they can control aspects of their own game.

Let’s not focus on the negative. The Avalanche are in the playoff hunt, and that feels good. However, they have a big two games ahead of them, and that starts tonight.

It won’t be easy, not that any of them are. The two games are both on the road, and they’re back-to-back. And they’re both against Central Division rivals — first the Blackhawks, then the Predators.

The Colorado Avalanche have faced the Hawks twice already this season. Unfortunately, they prevailed neither time. They lost both games, both of which were at home. Well, how about dishing out some of the same to Chicago?

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: February 22, 5:30 pm MT
TV Networks: ALT2,  SPN+, SN1, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, NBCSCH,  (Everyone’s’ Feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)

Shut Down Kane

More from Mile High Sticking

For the love of all that’s holy, shut down Patrick “It’s Showtime” Kane. As the NHL keeps reminding us every other second, the… unpalatable winger is on some bazillion-game points streak. Ok, 19 games, but they make it seem like he’s re-inventing the sport of hockey.

The Colorado Avalanche need to shut him down. Luckily, even in their worst season, they’re adept at ending Blackhawks’ streaks. And they’re not in their worst season, so I feel confident they can break this streak in half.

No, really, send out Big Z the Destroyer to squash Kane like the bug he resembles.

Show Them Who’s Boss — Carl Soderberg

A couple years ago, Carl Soderberg seemed one step away from a contractual buyout. The only thing that seemed to be keeping that from happening was the length and cost of his contract.

Well, last season Soderberg had a decent 37 points in 77 games. This season, he’s already matched that points total in 60 games. And he’s exceeded his career-best goals total with 19.

Big Ol’ Carl also had himself a three-point night against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night. You know who else had a three point night? Tyson “So, I’m a Bust?” Jost.

Oh, hey, Nathan MacKinnon seems to be back on the scoring track. He can probably contribute some to the team, too.

As noted, after tonight the Colorado Avalanche make the flight to Nashville to face the Predators tomorrow. A win tonight would put the Avs back in a playoff spot.. unless the (hated) Wild beat the (hated) Detroit Red Wings,

Can they both just spontaneously combust and forfeit?