The most concerning aspect of this four-game winless streak for the Avalanche entering tonightap home tilt against the San Jose Sharks is Colorado’s nasty habit for letting things slip away in the third period.
Letap review the losses, shall we?
• Jan. 6 — 1-0 L at Islanders: Scoreless early in the third period (6:54), New York center Anders Lee beat Avs goalie Pavel Francouz for the go-ahead goal and victory.
• Jan. 7 — 5-3 L at Rangers: The Avs tied things up at 3-3 midway through the second, but its offense dried up, and two unanswered New York goals on Philipp Grubauer spelled doom for Colorado.
• Jan. 10 — 4-3 L (OT) vs. Penguins: Francouz let in a pair of third-period goals and Pittsburgh tied it up. Late heroics from Avs forward Matt Calvert forced overtime, but Colorado was once again unable to close, as Penguins center Jared McCann scored on Francouz.
• Jan. 14 — 3-2 L (OT) vs. Stars: The Avalanche’s 2-0 first-period lead evaporated, quickly, with three straight Dallas goals. A third-period strike past Grubauer from Stars’ center Jason Dickinson tied it up, and an overtime goal from defenseman Esa Lindell put Colorado away.
Call this stretch an anomaly if you want, but as Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla points out, championship-caliber teams don’t fold when it matters most. A pattern of failed third periods, fair or not, suggests a lack of mental fortitude for an Avalanche team still right in the playoff mix. It can’t become an extended habit, though, or watch the losses continue to pile up just like they did late last year — Colorado went 4-14-5 between Dec. 21 and Feb. 16 in 2019.
The slide almost cost the Avalanche a playoff berth.
But don’t just take my word for it.
Avs coach Jared Bednar has also had enough of Colorado’s poor closing efforts.
“Every breakdown, it seems like itap costing us at this point, Bednar said. “We have to keep pushing to be better.”
—, The Denver Post
What’s on tap?
- San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. Thursday, ALT
- St. Louis Blues, 1 p.m. Saturday, ALT
Must-Read
Kiszla: Avs blow another game, revealing lack of both championship habits and Cup-worthy goalie
At this point, Colorado is a team of undeniably Cup-worthy talent but unreliable championship habits. Read more…
Analysis: Avalanche could look into acquiring “King” Henrik Lundqvist
Lundqvist, 37, who has yet to hoist the Stanley Cup, is under contract through 2020-21, with an $8.5 million annual cap hit but just a $5.5 million salary next season. Read more…
What does Avs star Nathan MacKinnon have to do to top Connor McDavid for the Hart Trophy?
If the hockey gods were a little less like Loki and a little more like Thor, we could start engraving Nathan MacKinnon’s name onto the Hart Trophy right here, sarge. Right now. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Avs blow another third-period lead, fall 3-2 to Stars in overtime
+ Chambers: Rick Bowness Sr. replacing Jim Montgomery in wake of Stars firing “bittersweet” for Bowness family
+ Avalanche teammates lobby for Cale Makar’s All-Star selection: “He’s earned it”
+ Dallas Stars reflect on Jim Montgomery’s firing, entrance into alcohol treatment: “Good for him that he’s getting the help he needs”
+ Kickin’ It With Kiz Podcast: How Avs captain Gabe Landeskog escapes from hectic NHL life and makes himself better leader
+ Nathan MacKinnon, Mikaela Shiffrin to be honored by Colorado Sports Hall of Fame
+ Comcast files motion to dismiss Altitude Sports lawsuit, balks at aggressive discovery requests
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
By The Numbers
500
Itap been 500 games and Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon still doesn’t think he’s famous
Nathan MacKinnon played in his 500th career NHL game and has amassed quite the résumé over his seven seasons in the league, yet he doesn’t feel quite known enough for mainstream attention. Read more…
Parting Shot
Dallas Stars “cheat” on faceoffs, Avalanche coach says
“They’re doing a better job of cheating on it than we are,” Bednar said. “We don’t feel like the linesmen we’re doing a good enough job (Tuesday), sort of holding (the respective teams) accountable to make it a level playing field on the faceoffs.” Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.com or tweet me
