After Wednesday night’s meeting with the Anaheim Ducks, the Avalanche had 13 games remaining in the 2015-16 regular season — five at home and eight on the road. That home-road disparity might seem daunting on paper, but the Avalanche’s 18-15-0 road record actually is slightly better than its home record.
The Avalanche’s competition for the final Western Conference wild-card playoff spot, the Minnesota Wild, has 15 games left — eight at home and seven on the road.
Colorado’s upcoming stretch of four consecutive games in Canada, at Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, probably will keep the Avs in the hunt for the playoff spot or put them on the ropes.
Zach Redmond settling in:
Defenseman Zach Redmond was a healthy scratch for 13 consecutive games before he stepped into the lineup to replace the injured Chris Bigras (concussion) against Arizona on Monday. He again played against the Ducks in the third pairing with Eric Gelinas.
After the morning skate Wednesday, Redmond said returning to the lineup “was the easy part. You want to play. It’s exciting for me. You always hate sitting out, and after a while you kind of get numb to it a little bit after a month or so. … To be back in the fold and be part of the run we have, you want to contribute and take steps toward the playoffs.”
Was there rust to scrape off?
“I don’t think so,” Redmond said. “You get back in and for me anyway, it’s like you were there the whole time. While you’re sitting, it’s terrible, but when you’re back in, not a lot changes for me. It’s just exciting to be back in and try to contribute again.”
Attendance:
Buoyed by the crowd of 50,095 for the Stadium Series game at Coors Field against the Detroit Red Wings, the Avalanche’s average home attendance was up to 17,042 — 19th in the 30-team NHL — going into Wednesday night. Scratching the outdoor game, and the average was 16,070, which ranks 24th. Kroenke Sports’ other winter-season team, the Nuggets, was 29th in the NBA, ahead of only the Minnesota Timberwolves, at 14,146.
Terry Frei, The Denver Post
