Colorado Avalanche: 5 Keys for the 1st Road Trip 2019-2020

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 25: Matt Nieto #83 of the Colorado Avalanche takes a shot against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on September 25, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Avalanche defeated the Golden Knights 4-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 04: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates alongside Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on December 4, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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.

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