Mile High Sticking
Fansided

Colorado Avalanche: NHL Network Talks Team’s Chances at Division Title

By Nadia Archuleta

SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Colorado Avalanche forward Colin Wilson (22) and teammates after Wilson scored a goal which was subsequently disallowed due to an offsides call during game seven of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks on May 8, 2019 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Colorado Avalanche forward Colin Wilson (22) and teammates after Wilson scored a goal which was subsequently disallowed due to an offsides call during game seven of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks on May 8, 2019 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Colorado Avalanche were recently the topic of conversation on NHL Tonight. Find out what the analysts have to say.

The Colorado Avalanche are getting more press these days. As we observed in a previous post, the Avalanche will have 12 nationally-televised games next season.

A lot of people, pundits and fans alike, are starting to sit up and take notice of the Avalanche.

Indeed, recently, NHL Network analysts sat around talking about one of the things that makes the Avs be a shining team right now:

Essentially, according to the analysts, a big part of the Avalanche’s success is their ability to create chances off the rush without turning the puck over. The show offered the following statistics:

  • Rush scoring chances for: 4th in the regular season, 1st in the playoffs
  • Rush scoring chances against: 11th in the regular season, 2nd in the playoffs

Those regular-season statistics are amazing. The “rush scoring chances for” in the playoffs is outstanding — being second in the NHL for allowing rush scoring chances is less so.

More from Mile High Sticking

Nonetheless, the analysts were impressed. Indeed, TSN analyst Mike Kelly calls Colorado “a real threat to be a Central Division champion.”

The analysts remark that this ability is why they’re so good at five-on-five, why they’re able to play with such pace, and why they’re able to be so effective.

I’m going to pose this observation a little differently. I think their ability to play with such pace is the reason they’re so effective at controlling scoring chances on the rush. This is a team that’s been built for speed. That speed is best on display during the rush, whether it’s the start of one for Colorado or the prevention of one for an opponent.

In other words, the Avalanche have the ability to distance themselves from opponents when they go on the rush and to close the gap when the opponent starts the rush.

Anyway, back to NHL Tonight. According to analyst Brian Lawton, Colorado is a “hot button” team right now. “People are loving where they’re at.”

Lawton does acknowledge that the team rebuild has been a work in progress — eight years, to be exact. He feels their future is “ready to explode.”

The analysts remark that the addition of Cale Makar to the NHL roster will further help the team add to their rush scoring chances. I concur. He is one elite skater, and he’s got scoring chops.

Lawton also likes another addition Colorado made:

"“Adding Kadri was the crown jewel. You have an elite centerman that was available. They figured out a way to go out and get him.”"

Of course, the Colorado Avalanche traded Tyson Barrie, Alexander Kerfoot, and a sixth rounder for Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen, and a third rounder.

Next. NHL Now Discusses Avalanche Future. dark

Well, Colorado Avalanche fans, what are you excited about for the upcoming season?

Home/Avalanche News