As a seasoned fan of teams that manage epic slumps (Avalanche, Nuggets, Rockies, Saints, Red Sox… this is getting depressing) sometimes you just have to look for the little victories amidst a big steaming pile of crap.
Colorado will need to remanufacture their road dominance from 2010 if they hope to make it back to the postseason. With five home games versus eight road games in both February and March, the Avalanche will need to dig deep to stay afloat in the tight Western Conference playoff race.
The fact that Joe Sacco & Co. have put managed to put out a scrappily effective defense most nights, and especially lately, is another sign that the Avalanche front office chose wisely when they promoted Sacco to head coach from his post at the Lake Erie Monsters.
Both new Avalanche acquisitions are red-heads. Teams with a healthy dose of the fire-brood win hockey games. Do not underestimate this indisputable fact.
Now the Avalanche get Anderson close to 100% in a stretch of games that will determine whether or not Colorado keeps its tenuous hold on the Northwest. This week is all about division play, and it starts tonight as the Avs travel to Vancouver to take on the 2nd place Canucks.
The quick, confident team that was creating space between itself and the hoards of conference playoff hopefuls has once again devolved into a tangle of rookies.
Playing Style has become the cornerstone of dictating how teams will try to use position and movement.
Coming off of twin 2-3 road losses, both of these teams are in desperate need of a win this evening to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
The Avalanche have more than routinely had trouble dispatching the Wild over the last few years.
