The Colorado Avalanche are in Vancouver on Tuesday night to face the 23-18-11 Canucks. Following that matchup, they are in Calgary to face the Flames, and then Edmonton against the Oilers.
The Avalanche are trying to climb out of the wildcard spot into one of the top positions in the Central Division, where the Winnipeg Jets currently stand, and who stand there by a pretty big margin. At some point, I hope the Jets start to decline, just enough to have them start to lose a little bit of confidence.
I know that it’s quite unlikely, but if the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars each lose their next three games, and the Avalanche win all of theirs, Colorado could end up right in the thick of the division, putting them in a firm playoff spot, and therefore creating more confidence. I don’t necessarily think that they are lacking confidence right now after some stellar goaltending play that we didn’t get to see early in the season, but any bit of additional confidence really helps.
Valeri Nichushkin out an extended period of time
Valeri Nichushkin hasn’t played since December after suffering an injury. The word right now is that we should expect him to return to the lineup following the 4 Nations faceoff. That tournament is set for February 12 through February 20th. So, still, a ways away from a return for Nichushkin.
We all know what type of impact his absence makes. The team is 17-14-2 without Nichushkin in the lineup this season. They are 14-7-0 with him in the lineup this year. As you can see, they’ve missed him quite a bit when he was out due to a suspension handed down to him during the playoffs last season and into this year. Injuries have also plagued him, which is the case right now.
Nichushkin has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.
If the Avalanche can come away with at least two victories on this road trip, they should feel pretty good despite missing one of their key wingers.