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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SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 6: Keith Yandle #3 of the Florida Panthers crosses sticks with Tyson Jost #17 of the Colorado Avalanche at the BB&T Center on December 6, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. Keep Rolling 4 Lines

Last season, the Avs had one magical line and a hodge-podge behind them. This season, they’ve done a lot to address that lack of secondary scoring.

Now, the lines haven’t been consistent, especially in the middle-six. Jared Bednar hasn’t quite taken his salad shooter approach to line-making this year, but Tyson Jost, Joonas Donskoi, and Andre Burakovsky have been moving up and down between the second and third lines.

It’s been effective, though, as each of those players, along with Kadri, has at least a goal on the season so far. What’s more, the fourth line, centered by Bellemare, has been surprisingly effective.

Side note: For the briefest of moments, Cale Makar and Sam Girard were on the ice together during the Coyotes game. I really miss that pairing from the playoffs.

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