Colorado Avalanche Can Keep Win Streak Going Against Ducks
The Colorado Avalanche can keep their win streak going as the host the Anaheim Ducks for a single home game.
The Colorado Avalanche host the Anaheim Ducks for a single home game before heading back out on the road for three games. They come into tonight on a seven-game win streak.
They’re currently chasing the St. Louis Blues for Best in the West. Annoyingly, St. Louis is also on a seven-game win streak.
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Well, the Avs can’t control what the Blues do. However, they can control what they do tonight. What they should do tonight is win. They’re playing an old, tired Ducks team that’s second only to the LA Kings for the bottom of the West — not quite as catchy as Best in the West.
Of course, Colorado is coming off a game in Detroit they barely won despite the Red Wing playing to be worst ever — no really, they’re on pace to get fewer than 48 points. In other words, Colorado isn’t beating teams they should be by much.
But they are beating them. Let’s look at some keys for a victory tonight.
Injury Woes
Remember when the Avalanche players were dropping like flies and everyone kept saying, “At least they’re getting the injuries out of the way early.” Yeah, it doesn’t work like that.
In the last game against the Red Wings, the Avs were missing five out of their top six scorers. Now the hope is that scorers #2 and #3, Cale Makar and Andre Burakovsky respectively, will return tonight.
That still leaves Mikko Rantanen and Nazem Kadri out, both of whom are on the injured list for the second time. So, too, is Philipp Grubauer.
The Avs keep finding ways to win, though, and hopefully that trend continues tonight.
Nathan MacKinnon Watch
Let me be very clear: I’m not worried about Nathan MacKinnon. He will score again. He will score prolifically. I fully expect him to take Quinn Hughes down a notch or three when the Avalanche face the Canucks in Vancouver.
However… he hasn’t scored much recently. He hasn’t scored in seven games, which weirdly corresponds with the win streak. It’s the longest goal-less drought of the season for our superstar.
Do I think the coaching staff have been playing him too much? Yes. They shouldn’t be putting him on the ice when the other team pulls the goalie. He also doesn’t need to play the entire power play. We don’t want fatigue leading to an injury.
Like I said, though, I’m not worried.
Next. Jost Scores 2 Goals. dark
How to Enjoy the Game
Game Time: Feb. 28, 5:00 pm MT
TV: ALT, FS-CR (Canes’ Feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5/AM 950)
Tonight is the Avalanche’s Pride Night in conjunction with the Hockey is For Everyone and You Can Play initiatives. More on that later.