(Graphic: Michael Gurzhiev)

For the first time this season, the Colorado Avalanche dropped back-to-back games, losing to the Minnesota Wild 6-2. Mats Zuccarello opened the scoring for the Wild halfway through the first period on a bad-angle shot that was created via a 3-on-1 breakaway for Minnesota. The Avalanche tied it up seven minutes into the third period when J.T Compher netted his second of the season off a no-look pass in transition from Samuel Girard. But just five minutes later, Parise tipped one home to regain the lead and the Wild never lost it after.

What Stood Out?

Scoring chances:

The Avalanche have only scored seven goals in their last 16 periods and it’s not due to a lack of scoring chances. The Avs are not putting up low shot totals, either, averaging 32 shots per game in their last five. Even tonight, the Avalanche generated 32 shots on target and created 20 scoring chances.

I am hesitant to use the word “snakebitten” to describe the team, but it feels applicable. Whether it be the posts that have been rung all season long or even Kadri’s backhanded shot that went just wide in the final few minutes, the finish just isn’t there as of late. Bednar also commented that he was displeased with guys not crashing the net hard enough.

Some food for thought: The last time the Avalanche scored more than three goals in a game was on Jan. 30 against Minnesota.

Game flow:

One of the largest concerns that I’ve had and I’m sure many of you have had is the lack of flow the Avalanche possesses on the ice. Tonight was no different. The Wild were keen to dictate the tone and pace of play early, and it felt like Colorado was content to play at that level. Even when the Avs prevented the Wild from taking a single shot for the first 12 minutes of the second period, Minnesota didn’t even seem the least bit put off. And that was with the Avs cutting the lead to a single goal in that timeframe. Add in turnovers and defensive breakdowns, the Avs struggled to establish their style of play on the events of the game.

The only time the Avalanche really controlled the pace was the first five minutes of the third period. In those five minutes, the Avs used their speed to generate long periods of play in the Wild’s end, draw a penalty, and finally notch a power play goal.

Colorado is a team that has so many players with rockets for legs that can skate circles around anyone. When they’re buzzing, they’re buzzing. If they can reestablish that in later games, the team will be fine.

Power play:

Well, the Avs finally did it. After 19 straight scoreless power play cycles, Kadri broke the levy on the 20th attempt. What did the hockey gods demand in return for a power play goal? You guessed it, giving up a shorty. In actuality, the timings were flipped, but I guess that’s the Avs’ season for you.

In a power play that has struggled to generate anything as of late, Kadri’s goal really showed glimpses of how it was operating in the early season. The team was already buzzing around early in the third, but the crisp passing that set up the goal showed that the high-velocity PP was still there. Question is, can they use tonight’s goal to knock the monkey off the team’s back to score more consistently in future games?

J.T Compher

When J.T. Compher is in the talks as being one of the best players on the ice for the Avs, it’s bound to raise some eyebrows. But Compher and the third line were probably the best line for Colorado. Compher has been the target of a lot of criticism on his play as of late (myself included) but put forth a solid, gritty performance. Compher’s goal tonight hopefully jumpstarts him down the line. The Avs desperately need the backend forward support, and if he can get going, it’ll take at least a little pressure off the top six.