3 Avalanche players who must bring their A-Game to regain their edge
![Feb 6, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates Feb 6, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_173/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/108/01hpfxm3te5dzs0xqpg3.jpg)
Devon Toews increasing productivity will work wonders
Devon Toews is the Avalanche’s second-highest producing blueliner next to Cale Makar, and through 53 games, he has a respectable 29 points and eight goals. But Toews has been converting quite a few of his shots on net into goals with an 8.1 shooting percentage. By comparison, Makar is shooting an 8.7, so it’s clear that Toews has been relatively accurate this year when he sees a good scoring lane.
However, he’s taken just 99 shots on goal this season, good for just 1.86 per contest, and if that number goes up, it could potentially help the Avalanche score thanks to his efforts, or even provide the possibility for a tip-in or a redirection. Since Toews’ average total ice time is roughly a minute under Makar’s, it’s not like increasing his number of total shots on goal to at least close in on the potential Norris contender is farfetched.
Toews’ 3.3 defensive point shares are also the highest on the team, showing us that his performance on defense has been a huge factor in Colorado’s overall productivity. But if he contributes more in the offensive zone, he’ll make an even greater impact for a team that needs it right now. Look for Makar to keep holding up his end of the deal, and hopefully, Toews will put himself in a position to match it down the stretch.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference as of February 11th)