10 Observations: How Avs Played One of Their Best Games of the Season (+)

The Colorado Avalanche shut out the New Jersey Devils 4-0 on the second game of a back-to-back. Hands down, it was one of their top games of the season.

This was the team’s third back-to-back, and it had not won the second game in the previous two series. Pretty impressive for a team that came into a building that had a basketball game earlier in the day and had to play on fresh, warm ice.

The Avs have won three of their last four games. They were 1-3-0 in the previous four games. What changed? Goaltending and the return of Ross Colton.

I rarely travel with the team, so I watched from my living room. It was one of the most exciting games for Avs fans, but it was unbelievably frustrating if you were watching on Altitude +, as it randomly switched over in the middle of play four or five times to the Nuggets game.

My Observations from Denver

1) Colton is better than advertised. I’ve said this since we got him from the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 28, 2023. He got lost on a stacked team and was unable to showcase his talent to his fullest potential.

The Robbinsville, New Jersey native may have been more energized in his home state with family and friends at the game but he played his game to the T. His energy is electrifying and contagious. He picked up where he left off before he broke his foot to score his ninth goal of the season.

2) I called it — Colton’s return and placement on the second line sparked Casey Mittelstadt’s production. In the two games since his return, the Colton — Mittelstadt — Valeri Nichushkin line has combined for six points.

3) The Avalanche struggled on the power play (0-2) but they were outstanding on the penalty kill shutting down the No. 1 power play team in the league three times.

4) Scott Wedgewood’s new goalie pads earned him the shutout. Ok, maybe it was more than just new equipment — he was outstanding. He’s only allowed four goals on 81 shots since suiting up in burgundy and blue.

He said it best: “That’s a good room. You show me a good team, I’ll show you a good goalie. They’re making it easy to play behind them right now.”

5) Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar had the most shots on goal with five each but didn’t get on the scoresheet. Not for lack of effort, the top line and top defense pair contributed heavily, as usual.

6) This is a deep team. Colorado got goals from one top-line forward, Artturi Lehkonen, with an assist from Mittelstadt as they were changing lines. The other goals came from third-line forward Logan O’Connor and center Parker Kelly.

7) Faceoff wins helped the Avs dominate the game. Colorado won 56% of its faceoffs — the highest percentage in the last 10 games.

8) The Sams continue to defend strong. Sam Malinski and Samuel Girard had two shots on goal each and combined for six blocked shots. Girard had two missed shots and Malinski had one.

9) The Avs played a full 60 minutes. They were productive in the offensive zone and organized in the defensive zone. It was one of their best defensive games all season.

10) The Avalanche came out swinging and kept the energy up throughout the game. They continued the momentum from the win in Detroit to the second they hit the ice at the Prudential Center through three periods.

 They’ll come home with eight points if they keep that momentum going into Pittsburgh.