The Colorado Avalanche enter the new NHL week as the top overall team in the NHL with 25 points. The Avs are two points ahead of the surprise Anaheim Ducks for the league lead, following a gutsy 5-4 overtime win in Vancouver.
Things seem to be humming along for the Avalanche. While nothing is perfect, things are as perfect as they can get for Colorado right now.
So, let’s take a look at some interesting tidbits heading into the new week.
Colorado Avalanche news heading into the new NHL week
Win streak continues
The Colorado Avalanche were coming off a 9-1 demolition of the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Avs played on consecutive nights and didn’t look overly fatigued. The club got off to a roaring start, but gradually gave back ground.
The Canucks tied the game late in the third, but the Avs took advantage of a miscue by Vancouver in overtime to get the win. The hero was Gavin Brindley. His coast-to-coast goal was a thing of beauty. The last thing the NHL needs right now is another dynamic Avalanche forward.
With the victory, the Avalanche’s winning streak is now at three. Most importantly, the victories have come in various shapes and sizes. The biggest takeaway from Sunday night’s win was the resilience the Avalanche showed.
Sunday night’s win was also encouraging as it marked MacKenzie Blackwood’s first W since returning from injury.
MacKinnon explodes
Nathan MacKinnon had five points on Sunday night. In addition to two beautiful goals, he assisted three times on the night. While it’s no surprise to see MacKinnon light up the world, it was nice to see the Avalanche superstar take his rightful place atop the NHL’s scoring race.
The five-point effort propelled MacKinnon to first place in NHL scoring with 29 points. He’s got a four-point lead over the Ducks Leo Carlsson and the Blackhawks Connor Bedard. MacKinnon also leads the league in goals with 14.
Bednar milestone
As my colleague Graham Tiedtke noted in this interesting piece, Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar notched career win 400 on Sunday night. That’s a testament to Bednar’s staying power in the league. He’s the NHL’s second-longest tenured coach. Only the Lightning’s Jon Cooper has been behind the bench longer than Bednar this season.
Overall, Bednar’s influence has permeated the Avalanche into their very DNA. Everyone seems to be firing on all cylinders. Perhaps the biggest difference this season compared to last has been the club’s health. Thus far, the Avalanche have not been decimated by injuries like last season.
As long as injuries don’t play a significant role and consistency remains, the Avalanche could run away with the Central Division and hit the postseason as the team to beat.