2. Tighten the Game Up
The players and coaches alike claimed they have yet to play their best hockey. They’re saying it in the way of “but we managed to pull the win out anyway.”
Well, that’s not going to fly with teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and, especially, the Washington Capitals whom, I’ve often observed, are machine-like in their precision.
One area I’d really like to see them clean up is passing. They played four different opponents, and they still struggle to make clean passes.
As I’m sure I will type until I slump over dead at my computer screen (hopefully I’m at least on a beach), the Avalanche also need to maintain their consistency. Play the full-60. I don’t expect playoff-level focus this early in the season. But just don’t let the opponents off the ropes.