In March, the Avalanche looked poised for a deep playoff run. They went 9-0, with the new trade deadline additions contributing to the scoring depth. We were on track, and it felt good to be an Avs fan. Then the calendar flipped, and so did the Avs. They went from winning 9/13 games in March to winning 3/8 in April, with two of those wins against Minnesota, a non-playoff team.
On April 7th, the Avs took on the Dallas Stars. With the Stars two points ahead of the Avs, it was a fight for the Central Divison title. The Avs lost 7-4, and so did our hopes of claiming the division. Like all tough losses, you hope the team learns from their mistakes and moves on. As Ted Lasso says, “Be a goldfish.” Then, we faced the incoming Winnipeg Jets, the likely Round 1 playoff opponent, and it became a fight for home ice. The Avs have been the best team at home this season, and after the embarrassing loss to the Stars, this was now the biggest game of the year. The outcome: a lesson of “it can always be worse.” The Avs lost and were humiliated by a touchdown of goals: 7-0. There went our home ice advantage, our pride, and our lunch.
When the games started to matter, the Avs rolled over like my sweet beta dog, but unlike my dog, this hasn’t been cute. The Avs have been outscored 33-22 in the past eight games. Most concerning is what has happened between the pipes. Geiogiev has been solid this year and still leads the league with the most wins, but ever since losing to his former club, the New York Rangers, it has been like he needs to remember how to make a save. Now, I can’t catch a beach ball, so criticizing a goaltender is hypocritical of me, but I have watched a lot of hockey to know Georgiev needs to be better. He doesn’t have to be perfect, but he needs to make a couple of big saves to give us a chance to win, not give up four goals in the first period. Of course, this problem doesn’t fall to just Geiorgive, but the entire team must be stronger defensively around him.
Is this a mental slip, and if so, is it as simple as flipping a switch to get back on track? I can’t say, but it felt good to see the Avs close out the regular season against the Edmonton Oilers and put up four early goals. Nathan MacKinnon quickly got two assists to surpass the great Peter Stastny for the franchise record of most points in a season with 140. Big Val, who has not looked like himself since returning from injury, scored two goals, which is a good sign since we need his physicality and goal-scoring talent in the playoffs. All this came against a depleted Oilers team, who benched all their top stars to give them extra rest before the playoffs. With both playoff positions set, the game didn’t count for much. However, after several bad losses, it meant something to me, and I feel slightly better entering the post-season.
The Avs will now face off against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday for Game 1 in Manitoba. During the regular season the Avs were outscored 17-4 by the Jets and didn’t win a single game against them. It is a club that plays stingy hockey, like the Kraken that eliminated us last year, and on top of that, the Avs will have to get past goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is having a phenomenal year between the pipes.
In a city where we are fortunate to be accustomed to greatness when we fall below our expectations, it is easy to hit the panic button. However, the Avs also lost six of their final seven games in 2022; of course, they still maintained control of the division, but hopefully, their lackluster performances are simply a case of indifference before the real season kicks off. We have an incredible roster, capable of winning the Stanley Cup if the Avs want it more than their opponents. We know MacKinnon wants it more, but he can’t carry the team every game. If the Avs hope to avoid a first-round elimination again, everyone will have to be at their best, starting with protecting our own zone.
It won’t be easy, but no one said being the best should be. As our pal Ted Lasso said, “ Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse. If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.” This will be a difficult series, but our confidence in our team and our abilities can overcome this feat because, like Ted, I believe.
Let’s Go Avs!!
