Colorado Avalanche: 3 Observations from the First Week

Colorado needs to improve on last year’s road record.

The Avalanche were 15-19-7 on the road in 2017-18.  They were 28-11-2 at home.  the 21 point differential between home and road isn’t that shocking, what’s at issue is that the Avalanche are unlikely to record 58 points on their home-ice again this season.  Their points need to be spread to the road more.

Colorado Avalanche

Colorado is in a difficult position, geographically to be a stellar road team.  The travel from Denver to NHL destinations, even within the division can be daunting but if we’ve seen anything historically from the NHL it’s that home/road splits aren’t nearly as diverse as other sports.

Hockey can be a game of streaks, a team can look unbeatable for stretches, disinterested for others.  When a team is clicking and hot, it rarely matters if they are on the road or at home.  Both of the Avalanche Stanley Cups were secured on-the-road.

If Colorado can coax another 10-12 points out of their road schedule, it will ease the pressure on the home-ice, keep the boys from pressing and keep this young, exciting team flowing into the playoffs.

This looks to be a dangerously good Colorado team, if healthy.  The first-round bow to the Nashville Predators last season is a good building block but the Avs can’t be satisfied with just making the playoffs.  That was last year.

This year, the Avalanche expect to be poised for a deep playoff run.  With the defense performing well, bona fide stars at the forward positions, rising young talent and a mission to succeed, they are positioned to do just that.  The only question that remains and one that’s plagued Colorado since acquiring Semyon Varlamov from the Washington Capitals is: