The Colorado Avalanche will be facing another important test on Thursday night.
After sustaining their first loss of the season against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night, the Avalanche won’t have time to ruminate on the game. They’ll be marching straight into the Scotiabank Saddledome to take on the winless Calgary Flames.
Sure, the game looks like a cakewalk for the Avalanche. But if the loss against the Jets was any indication, the Avs can’t take anything for granted.
This is a game that Colorado has to win, and win big. Otherwise, serious questions could emerge regarding the club. If anything, Wednesday night’s game might have been a wake-up call for the Avalanche.
And that makes Thursday night’s matchup all the more important.
Colorado dominated large stretches of Wednesday's game, outshooting Winnipeg 39-19, but Stuart Skinner kept the Jets alive. In the end, it was a crucial misplay that allowed Kyle Connor to score the game-winner with just over a minute remaining.
That’s why the Avalanche can’t take the Flames game as a gimme, especially playing on back-to-back nights on the road.
Avalanche need to avoid a back-to-back letdown
While Colorado did not play a bad game on Wednesday night, the club can’t afford another letdown.
The Avalanche got some major encouraging signs from its third line against the Jets. Fedor Svechkov and Jaden Schwartz each got their first goals of the season. But it will take a little more than just that to win on Thursday night at the Saddledome.
Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas were all held off the scoresheet. That’s why they’ll need to get back on track in order to avoid falling into an early two-game skid.
Also, Scott Wedgewood should get the call against the Flames. MacKenzie Blackwood has played well enough in the first three games this season, but hasn’t exactly been dominant. That’s why a strong showing from Wedgewood will certainly help the Avalanche bounce back in Calgary.
Colorado can exploit one specific Flames’ weakness
There is one specific weakness of the Flames that the Avalanche can exploit.
Calgary has struggled badly out of the gate, allowing 16 goals in its first three games while scoring only seven. Dustin Wolf has a .797 save percentage through two appearances, while Devin Cooley has an .880 mark in his lone start.
That is exactly the type of situation Colorado's offense should be able to take advantage of. Getting out to a strong start and putting pucks on the net should provide the club with early scoring opportunities. And with Calgary’s goalies reeling a bit, there’s no doubt that Colorado will have a good chance to skate away with two points.
But the Avalanche cannot assume the Flames will simply roll over.
MacKinnon and Avalanche Offense Have a Chance to Bounce Back
The most interesting question may be how Colorado's offense responds after being held to two goals.
The Avalanche scored 14 goals in their first two games before Winnipeg finally slowed them down. Colorado still generated 39 shots, including 17 in the first period, but Skinner was really the story of the night. His 32 saves were the difference on Wednesday night, earning him the game’s first star.
Calgary represents a very different test.
The Flames have been unable to keep the puck out of their net, and Colorado needs to bury them early. This game cannot be a one-goal affair. The Avalanche need to annihilate the Flames and send a message that the loss to the Jets was just one of those nights.
If Colorado can build an early lead, settle the game down and get meaningful contributions from its depth players, this could become exactly the kind of road win the club needs to get back on track.
After Wednesday's frustrating loss, the Avalanche have a chance to respond immediately.
And against a winless Flames team, fans should expect nothing less.
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