As one of the youngest and fastest teams in the NHL last season, the Avalanche soared through the Western Conference. The Avs averaged nearly three goals per game.
Their skill became an identity. If you’re scoring and entertaining, you can overlook deficiencies.
Through two games this season, the Avs are scoreless, and their deficiencies have become glaring. The Avs are the last NHL team without a goal. New Jersey and Pittsburgh have 11 goals each.
The Avs have zip, having been blanked by Minnesota twice.
“I’m not going to say I’m surprised. I’d be lying if I said that,” Colorado coach Patrick Roy said. “All summer long, everybody said how nice we were, how good we were, how special we were, how everybody was excited about the team, about this year. We kind of forget a bit how hard we worked last year to be the team we were. And that’s what we have to do. We have to re-group.”
In back-to-back losses to the Wild, by scores of 5-0 and 3-0, the Avs recorded back-to-back scoreless games for the first time since 2009. Colorado was shut out just once a season ago.
“I can’t really put a finger on it,” said Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog. “I think every year you need to learn how to win, and we’re trying to figure that out with some new guys and new systems that we tweak.”
The Avs’ suddenly disappearing scoring touch perhaps wasn’t so sudden. They scored only 11 goals in eight preseason games, going 1-5-2.
And the zeros aren’t just bad luck. They aren’t getting many shots. Matt Duchene leads the Avs with eight shots this season. Minnesota’s Zach Parise had 10 shots Saturday night.
The Avs’ skill, though, hasn’t disappeared. Saturday, they flashed a passing touch that helped them win the Central Division title in surprising fashion a season ago.
Roy, though, said he wants more grind from his gliders.
“I don’t like to use the word effort, but I want us to be stronger on the puck,” Roy said. “Better in front of the net, screening the goalie on the other side — we were always on the outside. Those details of the game need to be a lot better.”
The Avs skated Sunday with a longer practice than expected, about 90 minutes. Roy pushed them to the time limit, forcing them to rush to catch a plane east for a day game Monday at Boston.
“The pretty plays will be there sometimes,” Avs defenseman Erik Johnson said. “But you’ve got to get to the net and get some of the greasy ones. We have such high-end offensive talent up and down the lineup. I think once these guys get one or two, the floodgates will open.”
Johnson’s jab. Johnson wasn’t claiming innocence Sunday after his game misconduct penalty the night before earned him an ejection against Minnesota. But he did lob a verbal jab back at the Wild’s Erik Haula.
Johnson was tossed in the second period after catching Haula in the face on a hip check against the boards. Haula fell to the ice and grabbed his face, and Johnson was immediately ejected.
Johnson said he does not expect a fine or suspension from the NHL for the hit.
“I don’t. I expect Haula to be up for an Academy Award,” Johnson said. “They’re trying to get embellishment out of the freaking league. And it wasn’t a vicious hit.”
The NHL will not convene a hearing to review Johnson’s hit and will not punish him further, according to USA Today.
Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or
COLORADO AT BOSTON
11 a.m. Monday, ALT; 950 AM, 104.3 FM
Spotlight on Milan Lucic: The Bruins left wing was part of a turning point for Avs winger Gabe Landeskog last season. Early in the second period at Boston, Lucic got fed up with the Colorado captain and dropped his gloves, challenging Landeskog to a brawl. But Landeskog refused. Lucic egged him on, but Landeskog didn’t bite. Lucic ended up eating a 12-minute penalty. “We don’t have anything to prove fighting with him,” coach Patrick Roy said after that game. “I don’t believe fighting is that important in our game.”
NOTEBOOK
Avalanche: Colorado’s last game in Boston, Oct. 10 last season, ended with an impressive 2-0 victory. Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist. The win helped push the Avs to a 13-3 start, one of their best in franchise history. This season, the Avs are 0-2. They have been outscored 8-0. … After his appointment to a line with Gabe Landeskog and Ryan O’Reilly, 22-year-old forward Dennis Everberg received less than eight minutes of ice time in Saturday’s home opener.
Bruins: While the Avalanche struggled to two losses to start the season, Boston hasn’t been much better, going 1-2. The Bruins are coming off a 4-0 loss to Washington in Boston. “Any team after a loss gets that much more desperate,” said Avs winger Jarome Iginla.
Footnote: While not the same drought afflicting the Avs, Boston has scored only three goals in three games. Patrice Bergeron leads the Bruins with a goal and an assist.
Nick Groke, The Denver Post
