The Colorado Avalanche played back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday nights, treating fans to a tale of two diametrically opposed games.
On Wednesday night, the Avalanche faced the Chicago Blackhawks. On the surface, the game seemed like a slam dunk for the Avs. But if there’s one certain thing in sports, it’s that you cannot guarantee outcomes.
The Blackhawks played a tough game, shutting down the Avs’ offense, and earned a win. It’s worth pointing out that Trent Miner played a solid game. He can’t be blamed for the loss as it wasn’t his job to steal the game.
After all, a team with the firepower that Colorado has shouldn’t have to rely on their goalie stealing games. Unfortunately, the Avs left Miner out to dry, depriving him of a chance to win his first start of the season.
The embarrassing loss must have set off red flags all over the place. The Blackhawks outworked the Avs, shutting down the Avs’ top scorers, especially amid a third-period barrage. Chicago rising star Connor Bedard scored a backbreaker at about the 12-minute mark of the third to ice the win.
Bedard’s second of the game was a dagger to the heart as it seemed the Avs were just about getting ready to break through and tie the game.
Alas, that was not the case, and the lowly Hawks snatched the two points away from the Avs. That situation left a sour taste in the Avalanche’s mouth as the team got set to face another division rival, the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.
The Colorado Avalanche flipped switch against Wild
Perhaps there was something in the water in Minnesota that allowed the Avalanche to flip a switch against the Wild.
After Wednesday night’s embarrassment, the Colorado Avalanche blew out the Minnesota Wild 6-1. Mind you, this is the Minnesota Wild team that the Avs are currently chasing. The Wild are second in the Central Division with 56 points, and duking it out against the best team in the league, the Winnipeg Jets.
The Avs got a brilliant performance from MacKenzie Blackwood, and goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen to power the win.
The effort against Minnesota is hardly surprising as this is the Avalanche team we all know and love. But it points toward something that contending teams usually fall victim to. Mentally, they tone down their game against seemingly “lesser” opponents.
But just because a team is struggling in the standings, it doesn’t mean they’re an easy out. As the Blackhawks game demonstrated, the Avalanche cannot afford to let their guard down. Losing points to teams like the Blackhawks can come back to haunt the Avs in the standings.
So, the underlying message is this: Play your guts out every game. We’ve reached a point in the season where points are precious and cannot be wasted.