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Inside the Locker Room: What Avs are Struggling with Now

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The Avalanche have won one/lost one through 10 games in January. The team’s inability to put two or more wins together stems from inconsistency and chemistry issues — which go hand-in-hand.



Colorado has struggled with offensive production in their losses, as shown by a shutout in one game and managing just one goal in three others. Blowing a three-goal lead to the Edmonton Oilers displayed a lack of momentum and focus throughout the game. The loss to the Wild further emphasizes their difficulty in breaking through defensively solid teams.

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“We’ve just got to do a better job in the O-zone. The third period we were playing our game, we had good structure, and we’re getting way more shots on net,” Ross Colton said. “The first two periods, we were trying to be too cute, I don’t think we were connected. And so just playing together as a group of three or group of five, and starts in the D-zone, and that translates to the offense.”

Logan O’Connor said the team needs to “provide more offensive sparks.” How it does that depends on chemistry which has been a challenge due to an ever-changing lineup and regular line changes. The team needs to find a balance across all four lines to get back on track.

“It’s on us to be mature about it, and guys to make it work and just build that chemistry throughout the game. Might not be one shift, two shifts, but to just see it be more complete by the end of the game than the start is definitely what you look for,” O’Connor said.

How Nichushkin’s Absence Affects Team Chemistry

Valeri Nichushkin’s status has changed from being close to a return to suffering a setback and is now week-to-week. The 28-year-old Russian suffered a lower-body injury against the Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Eve and has not played since.

Head coach Jared Bednar has had to shift lines to find chemistry, which has been a challenge. Nichushkin provides size and a skill set at 5-on-5 and special teams that no player can fill in.

Flynn’s Take: What Will Lineup Look Like When Nichushkin Returns (+)

 

The team’s inconsistency has been frustrating for everyone. One or two lines play well in one game, then only one player excels in the next.

“The problem with our game here recently, for me, is one night MacKinnon’s playing really well, then the next night, it’s Mittelstadt. We haven’t put the whole package together in this homestand, even in the win.

“The reality of it is, we need everyone to play well every night in order to win, and we got to start pushing towards that again,” Bednar said.

Goaltending has been a steady factor for the Avalanche to keep them in tough matchups. If the team can focus on building synergy through consistent effort and communication, production should improve.

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