Good & Bad
Postgame Wrap: Avalanche’s Road Trip Ends With Second Consecutive Loss
In the matter of three days, the Avalanche lost as many games in regulation as they did over the first 40 games of the season.
Colorado fell 4-2 on Tuesday to a surging Tampa Bay Lightning squad that has now won eight straight games. The Avs led at the halfway mark but went on to lose their fourth regulation loss of the year.
Parker Kelly and Brock Nelson scored for the Avalanche, who fell to 31-4-7 as they prepare for a seven-game homestand that begins on Thursday. This was Colorado’s first full game without both Devon Toews and Gabe Landeskog. The team finished 1-2-0 on its three-game road trip.
The score was 2-2 entering the third period before Brandon Hagel broke through for the Lightning at 8:31. He gave Tampa its second lead of the game, and it stood as the game winner. The Avalanche had just two shots in the first 15 minutes of the third period. They eventually came on late but couldn’t find the equalizer. The Lightning instead added an empty netter.
The scoring started late in the first period. With Tampa Bay beginning to gain momentum on the power play, Jake Guentzel put home a tally on the PP after being left uncovered by both Avs defensemen.
Guentzel was playing along the goal line down low. He got a pass from Nikita Kucherov, turned towards goalie Scott Wedgewood and scored on an uncontested shot. It gave the Bolts a 1-0 lead with just 12 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
But the Avs showed up in the second. Even with ample zone time for the Lightning, Colorado managed to be opportunistic with the chances it had. Eventually, the fourth line cycled the puck well and it led to a goal from Kelly at 3:22.
Kelly’s tally was assisted by Zakhar Bardakov and Ilya Solvyov — two guys who were healthy scratches for long periods recently. It’s Solovyov’s first point in an Avalanche sweater.
Bardakov took a slashing penalty on his next shift. The Lightning moved the puck well but couldn’t capitalize. And just as the penalty expired, Nelson skated into the zone and wired it past Andrei Vasilevskiy. His 19th of the season gave the Avs their only lead of the night at 9:31.
The Lightning tied it up before the break off a goal from Zemgus Girgensons with 2:38 remaining.
Bad: Defensive Habits
This was somewhat of an issue against the Panthers, too, but the Avalanche gave Tampa Bay way too much room to move. They pinned the Avs deep in their own zone and often gained possession on turnovers by Colorado.
The Hagel goal came following a turnover. On the very next shift, Jack Drury gave the puck away easily, and it led to yet another golden opportunity for Tampa Bay.
This was never going to be an easy road trip. But some of those defensive habits that have made them successful were not all there.
Good: Fourth Line Grit
We all remember how much Kelly’s game took off last year when he was shifted from center to the wing. Kelly became more fearless and aggressive, becoming a solid north-south player who crashes and bangs into anyone.
I’m starting to get that same feeling with Bardakov. Shifting him to the wing was something Jared Bednar admitted the team eventually wanted to try. The recent string of injuries has opened a spot for it, and Bardakov, despite taking a bad penalty here and there, has done well in that role.
The first goal from Colorado was a masterclass effort from all three members of that line, including Taylor Makar.
For the first time all season, I had no confidence the Avs could come back and win the game. The reason was basically the vibe: the body language, the frustration, the lack of togetherness. And I 100% believe it’s due to missing Landeskog. He’s a tone-setter on the ice and in the locker room, and without him something just seems missing. Someone is going to need to step up until he can come back, and it almost has to be Makar – who had been the de facto captain the three years Landeskog was out. We’ll get a good look… Read more »
Another game decided by special teams. Bad trip overall.
18 giveaways
Makar looks like he’s not trying half the time.
Girard failing to clear a lot.
I don’t love Necas’ shot selection
Awful 3rd P with terrible puck control.
Bardakov looked better this game.
Kelly was juiced and Brindley skated well.
Confidence and swagger are easy to lose with key guys out. These games until the break will be a good test of how the team handles adversity. It’s a battle and season of attrition. They need some guys to step up and lead
Its a losing road trip against 3 teams that will be at the top of the East at seasons end. Couple injuries and we were in both games til the end. The losses are meaningless unless you were hoping to go 73-2-7. As long as the team stays in games against the top teams, and keeps beating the rest, everything will be fine. Standings wise. The real concern has nothing to do with winning or losing. This team has to figure out how to play against teams that won’t let them finesse around. They have to go to a simple,… Read more »
Bennett was the PP coach who got fired and used as an scapegoat.
They brought in another coach and instead of better it is way worse now.
This is a bednar issue. Hes the HC which oversees everything. Avs lost 2 straight games due to not scoring on the PP.
People say o the 5on5 makes up for it. Well obviously it didnt make up for the last 2 games. Obviously with toews out is a big deal. Landy is a big deal but i feel they have good enough depth forward wise to win.
To the lack of depth scoring. Victor Olofsson has 2 goals in his last 28 games & has become the definition of a warm body. Ross Colton 0 in his last 19. Jack Drury 4 in his last 27. That’s your 3rd line essentially. People have made the claim that the Avs have been so dominant because of their “depth”…nope. The bottom 6 has been the same offensive void as in years past. Maybe even worse, last year Kivi & Colton each had 16. And LOC chipped in 10. They’ve been so dominant because of how great & healthy their… Read more »
They are better off now to trade for who they need instead of waiting till TDL. Get the chemistry going now.
Brindley kelly bardakov kiviranta LOC and I say drury also because he hasn’t taken a step forward but they are all good for 4th line duties.
Yes colton hasn’t scored in a while but hes been getting his chances and setting up guys.
Olofsson Imo should be traded and but they keep him cause they have no one else.
Anything is possible but the challenge to make a trade outside of the western conference now will be tough. There is a lot of parity in the east and I think just about all teams there believe they can make the playoffs. Teams will likely hold their water until things shake out more
I never got why some on here are advocating for the Avs to extend Olafsson now. Why??? He backchecks more than expected but you can find that elsewhere. His shot is supposed to be elite but he rarely even shoots. Solovyov wasn’t terrible and he’d be a fine 8th D for the playoffs. He’s not afraid to shoot and if it wasn’t for Vasy swallowing everything they were in an area that could have produced rebounds
Me either. I think people got excited by his start. But even then context matters. He has 7 goals on the year. 5 came in 2 games (3 in one & 2 in the other). Take those two games away the guy has 2 goals in the other 40. For a guy who plays 13 – 15 mins a night that’s horrible. He’s similar to Drouin in a lot aspects. Who is another guy fans were clamoring to be signed long term, which I never understood. Mostly only productive on the PP, Liabilities defensively, bad fits in the bottom 6… Read more »
Well colton seems to play to the level of ppl hes on a line with. As you said a 3c and another wing maybe? 3c for sure and olafson has vanished who wants to take that on?
One problem I see for aquiring this mysterious 3c man is the east is so jam packed with everyone so tight that they all have a chance so theres no real way to tell yet who wants to sell.
Bardakov drury kelly on the 4th line would probably look great.
You’re right. Not a lot of teams especially out East that are in seller mode right now. But come trade deadline there will be, always are. And it could always be a team out west that falls out of it too.
Also agree on Solovyev. He should only be in your postseason lineup if you’re already 2 – 3 D down. Not option #1 in case of an injury.
Every regular skater except for Brindley, Kiviranta, and Bardakov have double-digit points – and they’ve each missed time with injury and healthy scratches. We’re out-scoring opponents by 70 goals. Several players are on pace, or have already passed, their career highs. People have been saying we have outstanding depth, because we HAVE outstanding depth, and getting regular scoring from all four lines and all three pairings is one of the biggest reasons this team has been a juggernaut to this point. But obviously nothing is good enough for you.
The numbers are the numbers man. I just listed the players & their specific lack of production. So when you say they’re getting scoring from the bottom of the lineup on a consistent basis, whom exactly are you referring to? The top 6 has been awesome, the best in hockey. Health of the top 6, stellar goaltending are the two biggest factors for being #1 in the srandings. Mackinnon is on pace for 70 goals & 150 plus pts. Necas is 7th in pts, Makar 12th. So 3 guys in the top 15. Nelson has been great since a quiet… Read more »
Joe’s one of the biggest homers ever to be on any Avs board mate, good luck getting him to remove the rosy red goggles.
He’s definitely a glass half full kind of guy lol. Which is all well & good. But being optimistic & just outright detached from reality & or facts are two different things.
The Avs bottom 6 is just treading water most nights. And is going to need an injection of offense come trade deadline.
What are you performance expectations for bottom 6 forwards, especially 4th line guys…and where are these guys that fit within the cap and are feared in the NHL. They are bottom 6 guys for a reason. Colton and Olofsson are both going to be between 35-40 points at the end of the year. Drury and Kelly around 30 points. The other two spots are TBD with OC out and Bardakov not working out. They have all been decent to very good defensively and all average 12-14 minutes a night, meaning Bednar trusts them and doesn’t have to shorten his bench… Read more »
I have zero issue with the 4th line. Anything from them is a bonus. I specifically mentioned the 3rd line. And for the 1000th time. The goal is to win a Stanley cup, we all agree. I don’t care about Colton, Olofsson checking a perfunctory standard for the amount of pts a 3rd liner should get. They go super long stretches where they contribute nothing. We’ve seen this for 3 straight years from Colton. And outside of a month of success as part of the roaring 20’s line. He only produces offense when he moonlights up in the lineup. Olofsson… Read more »
Now your post is about winning cups. The reason I responded is because you were criticizing the production of our bottom 6 and “the numbers are the numbers”…well you might not like the players, but their numbers are pretty damn good for their roles. The 4th line is elite if we can get OC back. By the way…Colton has 2 cups as 2/3 rd line wing.
Ahh…yeah? With this core every trade, roster decision should be made with the thought in mind of how does this make us tougher to play in April & May. And the numbers are pretty good? Did you see where I pointed out Colton hasn’t a goal in 19? 1 in his last 22. And he’s got 3 assists in that time. He’s on pace for 9 goals on the year, a pretty large regression from 15 – 20 for his career. Oloffson has 2 goals in his last 28 games. 5 of his 7 on the year came in 2… Read more »
Solovyov is serviceable. Not much more. A little faster than your favor “D” man Middleton. Why don’t the Avs call up an Eagle or two. Maybe Connor Kelley, Behrens or Aamodt who is left handed and has pretty good +/- numbers (+51) in the four years he’s been with the Eagles? The time is now during this homestand.
Getting tired of hearing Moser and Ryker every broadcast saying how great Oloffson’s shot is. Trade bait
In fairness he does have a great shot lol. With that said the league is full of players with great shots who aren’t very productive. Olofsson has always been the definition of a PP merchant.
When you play on a team with a bottom 5 PP. And are rarely even on PP1. Your numbers are going to suffer.
A lot of overreaction here. Yes, the Avs are not perfect and they have flaws in their game like every other team. The PP is #1 on the list. It’s a long regular season and each team will go through adversity and mini-slumps. Dallas, while looking like world beaters before, has lost six straight games. The Wild has lost a couple back to back. Losing Toews is a much bigger deal than losing Landy. And the Captain is a huge part of this team. And we need Blackie back. But you know what? The Avs have been competitive in every… Read more »
No overreaction here on 4 regulation losses but this trip really exposed some bad tendencies and habits. Don’t want to beat a dead horse but both games in Florida could have been won if only the PP was league average. Also, it’s an ongoing problem but turnovers are killin them. My issue is not the overpassing per se but the careless passes are too many to count. Just one example is the behind the back no-look which is cool when it works but more often than not it results in a turnover against tight checking teams that don’t leave many… Read more »
Nice post. Yes – the turnovers and careless passes out of the zone and passes to no one in the attacking zone are a problem. Those can be corrected. The PP? Something has to change – – a new voice, a new approach, something different. I’m getting tired of hearing the same old excuses. To me, the Avs looked like a tired team last night. A long home stand, sleeping in your own bed and not a hotel will do wonders, IMHO.
I know they scout but I’ve never understood the coach-speak that says we’re less concerned about the other team and care more about ourselves and executing our game plan. I’m not a coach but this team has enviable scoring talent and a deep dive on what other teams are seeing on the Avs PP seems essential. Forget missed or blocked shots, they many times seen unable to even get set up the entire PP
They are really just trying to be too cute most of the time. Its lile a default some of them have. They usually do it when they are getting checked coming into the zone with a trailer behind them and the defenseman just pokes puck out of the zone. It really is odd sometimes. Necas seems to do that alot
Trying to do too much is the curse of highly skilled players in any sport. Necas but also also MacKinnon, Val and Makar too often try to split defenders when carrying the puck. They can all do it with success, situationally, but it goes horribly wrong in tight checking games
^ This
I’m also still advocating for splitting up MacK and Necas.