Tue @ Flames, Wed @ Oilers, Fri @ Canucks & Sakic to enter Colorado Sports HOF
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#19 was raised to the rafters at Pepsi Center, next Super Joe will enter the CO Sports Hall of Fame (4/20/10)
Whoa is the team that starts hot, for the first losing streak is all the more painful.
The fast start for Colorado’s new-look Avalanche has faded into a series of missed opportunities and blowout losses. The best team in the NHL in October, the Avs have been decidedly middle-of-the-road in November, posting a 2-3-1 record since the beginning of the month.
Offense is the big reason, as young stars Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly have all but disappeared in recent weeks, and the team’s Power Play efficiency has seen a precipitous decline that mirrors its recent three-game losing streak.
It’s not time to push the Panic! button yet, but the way Colorado handles its upcoming three-game road trip around the Northwest Division will speak volumes on the character and the long-term viability of the 2009-10 Avalanche. The first game is the biggest, but each game in-division is a big deal with what will likely be a tight pack going forward.
Tue, Nov 17th @ Calgary Flames (7:30 MST)
Despite losing five of their seven games since defeating the Flames in Calgary on October 28th, the Avalanche still cling to a one-point lead in the Northwest Division. That lead would likely be a deficit if not for the fact that the Avalanche have played two more games than the Flames to date. And so this rematch of division leaders takes on particular importance for Colorado, who just finished getting blown away at home by third-best in the Northwest, the Vancouver Canucks.
I called the first trip to Calgary unwinnable barring a minor miracle, and the Avalanche delivered just that. Trailing by two goals a few minutes into the game, the Avalanche stormed back to win that game 3-2. This game will be as tough or tougher, as the Flames have been playing very good hockey, and have the good fortune of logging their first two matchups against the Avalanche this season on their home ice.
So I’ll stick to my guns once again and say that the Avalanche will need a minor miracle to pull out a win in a matchup that will determine which team sits atop the Northwest.
PREDICTION:Â AVALANCHE 1, FLAMES 3
Wed, Nov 18th @ Edmonton Oilers (7:00 MST)
The Oilers are not as good as their 3-5 victory over the Avalanche in Denver last week, and the Avalanche are better than their play in that game or the two losses since.
After what will likely be a loss in Calgary tonight, the Avalanche have to pack up and take their tour of Canadian hockey cities to Edmonton for a game the next night. Many times, back-to-back road games against divisional opponents is a recipe for disaster, and that could well be the case this week. But I have a feeling about this game against Edmonton, and that feeling is that Colorado will find a way to right the ship against a lesser opponent in its own house.
The key to this game will be the Power Play, but the Avalanche are finally starting to look healthy (knock, knock) and that increases their odds for a standout team performance. Look for the boys in burgundy to play hyper-motivated hockey and pull out a decisive win on unfriendly ice.
PREDICTION:Â AVALANCHE 5, OILERS 2
Fri, Nov 20th @ Vancouver Canucks (8:00 MST)
Another night, another road game against a Canadian divisional rival. Nope, I don’t like the looks of this one.
The Canucks have manhandled the Avalanche in their last two meetings, one in Vancouver (0-3 shutout) and the other here in Colorado (2-8 shellacking). The Canucks have played the Avalanche like the Avalanche played the rest of the league in October; solid defense that frustrates opponents into getting overly aggressive and giving up transition chances.
It is doubtful that the Avs will be able to best the Canucks with their mutually successful style after two brutal losses playing the same game, especially with this matchup taking place in Vancouver. I like the Avalanche to play better this time around, but the end of this little trip around the division looks to end a lot like it started.
PREDICTION:Â AVALANCHE 1, CANUCKS 3
WEEK 8 PREDICTION: Â 1-2
**Bonus Coverage**
Peter Forsberg’s agent has confirmed that Foppa will stay in Sweden this season instead of making another NHL comeback. Potential suitors for a Forsberg return to North American ice did not include the Avalanche anyway (Vancouver GM Mike Gillis broke the story.) So this is good news for those of us who would rather see Peter play out whatever is left of his career for Sweden’s Modo and his national team than see a Canucks sweater with “Forsberg†gracing the back.
In other ex-Avalanche news, Joe Sakic has been selected for the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. His induction ceremony will take place on April 20th of 2010. Congrats to Super Joe on his first (but certainly not last) Hall of Fame selection.
