Colorado Avalanche: 3 Steps to Beating the Penguins in Pittsburgh
The Colorado Avalanche want to keep their win streak going with a victory in Pittsburgh against an always tough Penguins team. Here’s a road map for success.
The Colorado Avalanche are facing the Penguins in Pittsburgh. With the Edmonton Oilers’ loss on Monday evening, the Avs are the only remaining undefeated team.
Well, I know they can’t go 82-0 on the season. However, how fun would it be to replicate the success of the Why Not Us season with a season starting out 6-0? Colorado is 5-0, so they’d have to win tonight to make that dream happen.
Well, there are three simple steps to achieving that goal.
Start Off Strong in the First
The Colorado Avalanche almost always find success when they come out with pep in their steps. When they come out strong, skating like only they can, they are a tough team to beat. Ask the Washington Capitals, who were stunned by the Avs in the first 10 minutes of their game Monday evening.
Plus, when the Avs get off to a strong start, they can pad their lead a little bit. It’s always much better to play with the lead than the deficit.
Stay Strong in the Second
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The second period has been challenging for the Avalanche so far. In the first game, against Calgary, they did score two goals, However, they also allowed two goals, so they cancel each other out. Same thing against Minnesota — score a goal, allow a goal.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare bucked the trend against Boston — he was the lone goal-scorer. No one scored in the second period in the Coyotes game. And then the Avs allowed two goals without scoring any against the Caps.
Colorado needs to take a strong start and carry it through the middle stanza.
Finish Strong in the Third
By now, you’ve probably caught on to the trend. No matter what the score looks like going into the third period, the Colorado have to play their game, and play it tightly. As they said all last season, they must play to win, not play not to lose.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 4-2-0 on the season so far. They’re coming off a 7-2 trouncing of the Winnipeg Jets. And, while I thank them for defeating a Central Division rival, I don’t want them to have any momentum from that game, which occurred on Sunday.
Colorado is coming off a roller coaster win over the Washington Capitals on Monday. They defeated the Caps 6-3, and never gave up their lead, but it was close at times. Come on, Avs, Mission 6-0 is in effect.
All time, Colorado has a good record over the Pens — 20-9-3-3 (ties). Last season, each team won at home. Funnily, each game was 6-3.
Next. Nieto's Impossible Goal. dark
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: Oct. 14, 5:00 pm MT
TV: NBCSN
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5/AM 950)
The Colorado Avalanche are hosting a watch party at Stoney’s for this game. All away games are being broadcast to Brooklyn’s, near the Pepsi Center.