Avalanche’s 3 Biggest Takeaways at the Quarter-Point of the Season
T
The Hockey Writers
Summary: This is a summary of an article originally published by The Hockey Writers. Read the full original article here →
As the NHL season hits its quarter point, the Colorado Avalanche have seen some intriguing developments that could define their campaign. A pivotal moment came when Nathan MacKinnon suffered an injury, temporarily sidelining the star forward. His absence placed immense pressure on other players, such as Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, to step up. Rantanen has responded brilliantly, showcasing his scoring skills and leading the team in points during MacKinnon's recovery.
Another significant takeaway is the performance of the Avalanche's younger players. With the current roster featuring some promising prospects, the coaching staff has given opportunities to players like Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook. Their contributions could be crucial as the season progresses, especially in alleviating the burden on the team's veterans. The team’s depth will be tested, but these young guns are showing they can hold their own against seasoned opponents.
Finally, the Avalanche's defensive strategy has evolved, focusing more on maintaining a structured game. With Cale Makar leading the blue line, the defense appears more organized than in previous seasons. The team is actively working on minimizing scoring chances against while enhancing its transition game, which could be the key to maintaining consistent performances as they aim for a playoff spot this year.
Another significant takeaway is the performance of the Avalanche's younger players. With the current roster featuring some promising prospects, the coaching staff has given opportunities to players like Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook. Their contributions could be crucial as the season progresses, especially in alleviating the burden on the team's veterans. The team’s depth will be tested, but these young guns are showing they can hold their own against seasoned opponents.
Finally, the Avalanche's defensive strategy has evolved, focusing more on maintaining a structured game. With Cale Makar leading the blue line, the defense appears more organized than in previous seasons. The team is actively working on minimizing scoring chances against while enhancing its transition game, which could be the key to maintaining consistent performances as they aim for a playoff spot this year.