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.
Let us not mince words; the Vancouver Canucks have manhandled the Avalanche so far this season. The ‘Nucks sit at the top of the NHL with 64 points, and their +40 goal differential is +18 better than their closest Western Conference competition.
In a perfect world, the Colorado Avalanche would get to play the Edmonton Oilers after every tough loss. Thursday’s 3-5 loss to the Nashville Predators cost the Avs precious points in a tight conference race, and handed the season series (primary playoff tiebreaker) to the Preds.
The Predators are going to be hungry and on home ice in this matchup, and the Avalanche will have to work very hard for any in-goal real estate.
The Avalanche are anything but comfortable at third in the West. They have 62 points on 49 games, with Vancouver and Phoenix breathing down their necks in the division and conference respectively.
