The Colorado Avalanche just can’t seem to figure things out of late. After shutting out the Detroit Red Wings on the road, the Avalanche returned home and were promptly shut out by those same Red Wings.
With one game remaining before the Olympic break, it was imperative that the Avalanche handle the young, plucky San Jose Sharks. Things got tense for a bit, but the Avalanche found a way to push through and grab the 4-2 win at home.
A Little Love for Lehk
Though we tend to focus on the immense star power the Avalanche have, their supporting players are difference-makers as well. There may be no more impactful support player than Artturi Lehkonen, whether talking about the Avalanche or the league as a whole.
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen celebrates after his goal (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
Lehkonen has been finding his mojo of late, picking up his second multi-point game in three outings. This time, he scored the first two goals for the Avalanche, showcasing his ability to team up with superstar Nathan MacKinnon on the second marker.
Lehkonen is on his best points-per-game pace since he registered 51 points in 64 games during the 2022-23 season. His ability as a scorer is underrated, as is his ability to move between the top two lines without missing a beat. He was a difference-maker on Wednesday.
The Power Play Needs an Overhaul
It has been said time and again that the power play, possessing all that firepower, needs to be better. That may be an understatement. After going 0-for-3 against the Sharks, the Avalanche are dead last in the NHL with a 15.1 percent success rate.
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They have gone eight games without a power play goal, posting an ugly 0-for-15 during that span. Since the new year, they have just six power play goals in 47 opportunities. Most expected them to just “figure it out” because of all the talent they have, but it’s clear that a change is needed.
Assistant Coach Dave Hakstol’s power play is not finding success, and it’s been too long to hope that the star power can simply find its way through to the other side. The Avalanche are a good team, but failing to convert on opportunities may cost them dearly.
Nuke Heating Up
Don’t look now, but Valeri Nichushkin has been very quietly finding his game. He had assists on all three non-empty net goals on Wednesday and has now tallied at least a point in five of his last six games.
The man affectionately known as “Nuke” was ice cold to start the new year, going six games without a point and scoring in just one nine games through January until he began to find his offensive game starting against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 25.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson celebrates his goal with center Nathan MacKinnon and right wing Valeri Nichushkin (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
What makes the Avalanche so dangerous is that they can score from anywhere throughout the lineup. Having an effective Nichushkin on a roll will only make them tougher to play against coming out of the Olympic break.
Focusing on the Stretch Run
With so many members of the Avalanche going to Italy, the break may be more strenuous than restful for the Avalanche. Getting a win before going into the break is huge. Their lead on the Minnesota Wild may be down to five points but they also have three games in hand to make up some of that lost ground.
The Avalanche are built to win now unless injuries get in the way. Getting Gabriel Landeskog back will be key and the extended rest may be the key to keeping Mackenzie Blackwood healthy for the stretch run. It’s time to lock in, get a winning streak going, and strike fear into the league once again.
