Colorado Avalanche Need Better Play against Detroit
The Colorado Avalanche need to beat the Detroit Red Wings in Pepsi Center if they want to maintain their playoff aspirations.
The Colorado Avalanche’s chances of making the playoffs are slim at best, and they’re sliding to none. In order to stay in the playoff race, the Avs need to win more games than they lose moving forward. Two out of three is the general consensus.
Well, no time like the present. And while the rivalry is long in the past, it would feel especially good to start the resurgence against the Detroit Red Wings. Just, you know, keep Tyler “Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree” Bertuzzi in check.
What we wouldn’t give for a Scot Parker right about now, eh?
Tonight marks the second and final time the Colorado Avalanche will face the Detroit Red Wings this season. They shut out the Wings 2-0 in Detroit on February 2.
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: Mar 5, 7:00 pm MT
TV Networks: ALT, FS-D (Wings’ Feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)
Return of Ian Cole
Defenseman Ian Cole did not undergo a hearing from his dirty hit on Anaheim Ducks player Devin Shore, and that’s a pity. The majority of Avs Nation was hoping he’d be suspended so we wouldn’t have to deal with his costly play. And also because, you know, we don’t like dirty players.
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So, instead of a promising youngster like Ryan Graves in the lineup, we get to see the tired veteran who will undoubtedly take a penalty at exactly the wrong time, which will cost the team the game, or at least the momentum.
No, really, listen to the captain of the blueline, Erik Johnson, in his post-game presser. While he doesn’t name Cole specifically, it’s clear he blames Ian for stealing the momentum in the Ducks game — and that he’s tired of it.
Top Line Scoring
I don’t know what wonky lines Jared Bednar will come up for this game, but they’re certain to feature Gabriel Bourque, Bednar’s pet forward. But the point is, we need scoring from the Colorado Avalanche’s top three of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog, no matter who their linemates are.
Landeskog has already topped his best in both goals (33) and points (68) this season. Rantanen is just one goal and two points shy of matching his career best. MacKinnon… will need to go on a tear, though his 82 points (33 goals, 49 assists) is more than respectable.
Actually, we’d love to see MacKinnon go on a tear. He reportedly was down with the flu in the Ducks game, which might explain some of his lethargic play. But, really, we need the dominant player from the first part of the season to return.
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After tonight, the Colorado Avalanche are heading down south to face their Central Division rival Dallas Stars. That’s an important game, but it would be good for them to get warmed up here in Colorado.