The Avalanche entered the NHL’s all-star break looking more like a 1976 Plymouth Volare than the 2011 Lexus they envisioned during the preseason. During the past three weeks or so, there have been breakdowns of one sort or another.
Yet, the Avs remain in the thick of the playoff race. They are tied for the seventh-most points in the Western Conference — with Chicago and San Jose, at 56 — but currently stand ninth because of tiebreakers. The Avs finished eighth last season, so there has been no real regression.
But there has been no progression either, and there is an unmistakably dissatisfied feeling around the team with how it has performed. Only two other teams, Ed- monton and Atlanta, have allowed more goals than Colorado’s 165, and previously rock-solid goalie Craig Anderson has been relegated to backup status for much of the last two weeks.
The Avs seem to realize that if they don’t play much better when they return from the all-star break Tuesday, last year’s playoff team will be considered nothing more than a one-year wonder. For the moment, though, coach Joe Sacco prefers the glass half-full approach. Some may call it denial, but Sacco says things could be a lot worse.
“I think to some extent, yes, you can say that we need to be more consistent,” Sacco said. “Overall, our offense has been excellent this year. We’re still one of the top teams in the league in goal-scoring. Goals against, we’d like to maybe tighten that up a bit. But I think you’ll see more consistency after the all-star break.”
Here’s a look at the Avs at the break:
Highlights
The Avs had a six-game winning streak from Dec. 10-19, reversing what had been a four-game winless streak. Probably the best victory was a 3-2 triumph Dec. 11 at Washington against a rested Capitals team at the end of a five- game road trip.
The Avs also have beaten two division-leading teams, Vancouver and Detroit, since Jan. 10.
Lowlights
The Avs haven’t been as good on home ice as last season, just 4-7-2 in their past 13 at the Pepsi Center.
Injuries to two top forwards — Peter Mueller and Tomas Fleischmann — have created problems at the position. The defense has allowed 165 goals, third-most in the league, and goalies Craig Anderson and Peter Budaj have goals-against averages of more than 3.00.
Reason for optimism
Peter Forsberg could join the team soon if his attempted comeback progresses the way he wants. Even at 37 and not having played in nearly three years, Forsberg’s supreme skill could help fill the void at left wing.
The return of center Ryan O’Reilly after the break should help the team’s overall defense.
Colorado has four games left against last-place Edmonton.
Reason for skepticism
Five of the Avs’ first seven games after the break are on the road.
The Avs have three de- fensemen — John-Michael Liles, Kyle Cumiskey and Matt Hunwick — who aren’t very big and play a similar style. Unless the Avs find a way to better convert their offensive skills, the lack of size and physical play on the defense is a major concern, especially if the goalies keep struggling.
Top player
There has been no sophomore jinx for Matt Du- chene, who is an NHL all-star at 20. With 20 goals and 45 points through 50 games, he appears a cinch to exceed last year’s output of 24 and 55.
Duchene also has raised his faceoff-winning percentage from 44 last season to 49.4.
Disappointing player
Anderson has yet to find the form that made him a top-10 finisher in the Hart and Vezina Trophy voting last season.
He has been good at times lately, and any goalie might struggle behind the kind of defense the Avs have played. But Anderson just hasn’t been the goalie of last season.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
