Now on a five-game winning streak, the Colorado Avalanche find themselves at the top of the food chain, cooking the league’s best squads, eating anything in their path, and maintaining the highest-ranking spot in the Central Division of the Western Conference at (10-1-5). After a paramount slate of performances, one after another, Colorado has displayed consistency, relentlessness, and authoritative dominance.
The consistency has been second to none, night after night, as the Avalanche have successfully grabbed the leagues attention, only losing one game in regulation so far this season. From the top line to the third line, every forward and defensemen have been performing far beyond their expectations, playing their part and producing on the stat sheet while continuing to collect W’s. Mind you not, Sam Girard and Joel Kiviranta haven’t seen any ice time, both out of the lineup due to injury.
The lengthy depth of the Av’s roster is deadly, slaying most of their opponents that gives their top performers a chance to take a breather by time the 3rd period rolls around. It’s a beautiful thing to watch the extensive amount of talent on this roster, where new players are also scoring multiple goals, or logging multiple assists. Making it impossible to lock in, double-team, or swarm the superstars such as MacKinnon, Makar, or Necas each time they’re looking to work their magic in the offensive zone.
Speaking of those three prodigious performers, they have been unstoppable in every way possible. They cannot be contained, and they are so lethal in transition, even with the amount of supportive options that they have with their teammates, at any moment, at any time, at the blink of an eye, boom. Goal!
The “Three Musketeers” have been playing out of their minds and have been racking up a remarkable number of points due to their sensational performances that look normal day in and day out for all of them at this point. There has been a suggestion that a 4th Musketeer might have to be added. Scott Wedgewood has been an absolute brick wall with a (9-1-2) record, and an exceptional (.906) save percentage on the season as the starting goaltender. The stat sheet doesn’t lie, and reflects how astoundingly flawless this Colorado Avalanche team has been competing.
Nathan MacKinnon – 14 Goals, 15 Assists, 29 points, 5 PPG, 8PPP, 71 SOG, 13+/-
Cale Makar – 6 Goals, 16 Assists, 22 Points, 7PPP, 29 Blocks, 42 SOG, 12+/-
Martin Necas – 9 Goals, 10 Assists, 19 Points, 2PPG, 6PPP, 5 Blocks, 10+/-
These virtuoso superstars are buzzing on the same line, and it looks so unfair when this trio plays against any team under (.500). The hot streak started about 5 days ago when the Tampa Bay Lightning came in hot off a 5-game winning streak until Colorado put that to a stop beating Tampa Bay 3-2. Victor Olofsson was a big factor for Colorado, scoring a pair of goals while Scott Wedgewood stopped 22 out of the 24 shots fired. Ross Colton sealed the deal by scoring the goal in the 2nd period which was the deciding factor.
A few days later, Colorado went into Edmonton and gave the Oilers a thrashing, beating them senseless 9-1. Showing no mercy in front of Edmonton’s fans, this win for Colorado turned out to be the biggest road victory in franchise history, while Edmonton tied their franchise record for the worst home loss in franchise history. While 5 different players lit the lamp, Nathan MacKinnon was a raging bull and proved why he is currently the best hockey player in the world finishing the game with 4 points (2 goals & 2 assists).
There is no argument that Colorado has the most depth of any other team in the league. Nathan MacKinnon, Parker Kelly, Jack Drury, and Cale Makar all had two goals each, which is unheard of especially against Connor McDavid and the Oilers. Gavin Brindley has made some noise lately as well, also recording 1 goal and 1 assist.
Colorado then flew into Vancouver and snatched another win, where Brindley lit the lamp again, scoring his third goal of the year. Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon both scored two goals. Nate Dogg also notched 3 assists, ending the night with an insane 5-point total. Having 9 points in two games is beyond ridiculous, yet MacKinnon makes it look so easy.
Colorado is steamrolling everything in their path. MacKinnon was named the “#1 Star of the Week” on a historical heater that isn’t cooling off any time soon. Opposing teams are going to have to find a way to try and stop MacKinnon and the Av’s or at least slow them down a bit. Colorado does have their work cut out for them tomorrow and look to extend their 3-game winning streak as they face off against Troy Terry and the Anaheim Ducks (11-3-1). Another young squad that is on a blistering run, currently sitting 1st in the Pacific Division.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for The NSR Network
