Colorado Avalanche Need to Turn the Tide against Edmonton

The Colorado Avalanche need to stop their mini-skid with a win tonight. Here are some keys to the game.

The Colorado Avalanche are an injured team. They’re getting one of their star wingers back soon, Mikko Rantanen. However, it seems like one returns, another leaves. Tonight we’ll have to be without one of our alternate captains, Erik Johnson.

Well, good teams have to keep finding ways to win. That’s what Colorado has to do tonight against a red hot Edmonton Oilers team. They seem to have finally grown into their Connor McDavid. And the last time the two teams met, Colorado came out the worse for wear — 6-2 was the score. (Four of Edmonton’s goals came on the power play, but I don’t know if that makes the score feel any better.)

As of right now, the Avs have inevitably dropped in the standings. They’re still in a playoff position. However, they’ve gone from challenging in the Central Division to first wild card spot. They do have two games in hand, and, hey, tonight can be one of those games.

It’s time to turn the tide, starting with this game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Smother McDavid and Draisaitl

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In the last game, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl essentially had their way with the Colorado Avalanche. McDavid had six points (3 goals, 3 assists), while Draisaitl had five (5 assists).

Yeah, the Avs are going to have to do something about that.

While that “something” starts with the defense, smothering that high-octane line can’t rest on the blueline alone. Instead, the players have to play as five-man units. And don’t just collapse on McDavid — there are other players on the ice who can also score goals. Really, they should try to push him to the corners and limit his scoring chances.

I mean, that’s always a good tactic to implement, right?

Enact a Penalty Kill

Or don’t take penalties. The Colorado Avalanche penalty kill has been a thing of ugliness. Right now, they’re #21 in the NHL with a 77.5% kill rate.

Even Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was dissatisfied with the way the PK was playing, remarking that they simply had to do more.

I’d also like to see the team take fewer penalties. They weren’t too penalized in the Toronto game. However, they too seven penalties against Edmonton in their last match. And, as I said, the Oilers made them pay on four of those chances.

To make matters worse, the Avs are without one of their best penalty killers, Erik Johnson.

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: Nov. 27, 8:00 pm MT
TV: ALT, ESPN+, SNW  (Oilers’ feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (AM 950/FM 92.5)

Tonight the Avalanche are hosting their annual food drive at the game. They’re collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations. All food and monetary donations go to the Denver Rescue Mission.

The Avs served dinner at the Rescue Mission on Monday — Colin Wilson and Sam Girard specifically:

Anyway, at tonight’s food drive, the Colorado Avalanche will be giving out vouchers to an upcoming game to the first 200 fans who donate.