The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Avalanche slide towards the playoffs

The Avalanche careen into the last week of hockey speeding along like a Scooby Doo roller coaster ride. Breaking down the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from a week resembling a rickety amusement park ride that sees the Avalanche still fighting for a playoff spot. Dentists everywhere are celebrating as Colorado fans grit their teeth through every precious moment of a contentious fight to the finish.

THE GOOD

1. The Avalanche still have a shot at the postseason. Yeah, they only earned three points in the last four games, but Colorado currently sits in the final Wild Card spot with two games left to play. They have gone 3-4-1 in the past two weeks down the final stretch and yet, they still have a shot at the postseason. In a year when the team hasn’t seen a lot of breaks go their way, isn’t it funny they can lose three of four games this past week and still have a chance at the playoffs? Real life is stranger than fiction. An Avalanche comeback in the final two games would beat any Mighty Ducks movie, even without the flying V.

2. Okay, who added the energy boost to Alexander Kerfoot’s meal plan? Give that man a star as Kerfoot has re-discovered his scoring ways. In the past two weeks, Kerfoot has led the team in points as he tallied five goals and two assists through eight games. He’s now fourth on the team in goals and fifth in total points. From a guy who was playing under seven minutes a night just a little over two weeks ago. Apparently, the rest did him good. Not only did he lead the team in points, he led them in goals. Good to see him take the shots instead of just passing. Welcome back!

3. Rookie forward Tyson Jost rose to the occasion the past week and found his scoring chops as well. The youngster scored three goals in four games while playing a critical role in helping the Avalanche get at least a point against the Anaheim Ducks. Well done. More, please.

4. The return of forward Sven Andrighetto could not have come at a better time. The Avalanche have needed secondary scoring and putting him on the line with Alexander Kerfoot and Tyson Jost added a veteran presence with a tenacious forward push, re-igniting the two rookies’ scoring potential. He seems to be finding some chemistry with his new linemates after his long injury absence. Andrighetto racked up two goals and an assist this past week while Kerfoot and Jost combined for another five goals and two assists. These three players combined for seven of Colorado’s 10 goals in the last four games. Coach Bednar may have discovered lightning in a bottle with these three. Is it too early for a nickname for this line? Maybe the Mighty Mites? Yeah, the guys are sure to love that one.

5. Recently acquired defenseman Mark Alt earned a starting spot on the third defensive pairing over the past couple of weeks. His play has been defensively responsible while not flashy. And his physical presence has provided a good contrast to Sam Girard’s slick puck handling and David Warsofky’s diminutive stature. It can’t be easy to jump into a new organization as the team makes a run for the postseason but he has been a pleasant surprise on the blue line. Is he another Erik Johnson? No. But he also isn’t Andrew Bodnarchuk. Perspective is everything.

6. Defenseman Tyson Barrie deserves some credit for stepping up his game. He notched two goals and three assists over the past two weeks while logging nearly 25 minutes a night. More importantly, he hasn’t turned over the puck in front of his own net and instead made a series of crucial saves at the crease. His defensive game has radically improved this past year. Credit him and the coaching staff for honing his skills. Make no mistake, his elevated play in the face of losing Erik Johnson (twice) has been key to helping this team contend for a playoff spot.

7. Colorado’s power play continues to earn points, successfully scoring on five of thirteen opportunities this past week and sits in ninth place among all NHL teams. The Avalanche have also drawn the most power play opportunities in the NHL this year, so a little more scoring on the man advantage would be nice. But, after last year, maybe it’s time to be grateful for ninth place.

8. Nathan MacKinnon earned his 300th NHL point in the matchup against the Ducks. He’s only played 372 games. His future looks so bright, shades may not be enough. Maybe a blast shield, because Nate the Great’s future looks full of unlimited explosiveness. Hopefully he finds a way to let more of that loose in the next two games.

9. There’s been some under-appreciated effort on the blue line worth noting. In case it’s been lost in the noise, Nikita Zadorov embraced his big game this year. He currently leads the NHL in hits without being in the top five for penalty minutes, no mean feat. Meanwhile, Patrik Nemeth ranks fifth in the league for number of shots blocked and leads the team in +/- at a +25. Both men have come up big in the rash of injuries to the defensive corps. Maybe it’s time to consider giving both of them some thanks. And some Icy Hot. They have to have their share of bumps and bruises.

THE BAD

1. Blowing a 3-1 lead in the third to the Anaheim Ducks was just…bad. Hopefully, it doesn’t come back to bite the team in the butt. Salvaging a crucial point from the matchup, though, could be the saving grace for reaching a postseason berth.

2. What happened to the first line the past couple of weeks? Their scoring dropped off a cliff. A really, really tall cliff. Nathan MacKinnon, who not so long ago boasted a 1.39 point per game average, has contributed five assists over the last eight contests. That’s .625 points per game, half his normal pace.

The top line has only accounted for four goals out of the past 19. Secondary scoring is no longer the problem with this team. Finding a way for the top line to produce top line points looms as a bigger challenge. Whether they are trying too hard, or guys are playing while sick or injured, or other teams have figured out how to shut them down, the Avalanche need to devise a workaround. Right now, only Mikko Rantanen has consistently earned points over the past two weeks. And even his three goals and two assists seem meager in comparison to the powerhouse point leaders they have been for most of the season. And what happened to their passing? Yikes.

3. Bernier ranks 4th among NHL goaltenders for allowing the most short-handed goals, letting six slip past him this year. Semyon Varlamov ranks 6th, having allowed five goals in while on the man advantage. Part of it is the fast and loose system of the Avalanche but it’s something to guard against in the final two games.

THE UGLY

1. Losing both defenseman Erik Johnson and goaltender Semyon Varlamov to injury down the stretch – ugly doesn’t even begin to cover it. The Avalanche have proven themselves resilient in the face of injuries and are putting up a good fight for a playoff spot. But the last few games of the regular season looked a lot easier with Johnson and Varlamov playing. It’s gut-check time.

2. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier getting an infection in a cut on his hand so he can’t grip his stick seems somehow representative of the weird injury luck the Avalanche have had this season. Ugly. And the timing was not optimal.

3. The Los Angeles Kings laid out 45 hits on Avalanche players last night. The night before, the Anaheim Ducks dished out 28 hits. That’s a combined 73 hits over a 28 hour period. Get the team some Bactine – stat! And ice – lots and lots of ice. And maybe a case or two of Alleve. It’s a good thing Colorado has two days off before taking on the San Jose Sharks or this team could resemble the Walking Dead.

INJURY ZONE

Lost Boys continue to cycle through the dangerous Injury Zone. While Erik Johnson and Semyon Varlamov returned to the dark nether regions within, Colin Wilson was able to claw his way out to return for last night’s matchup. Mark Barberio was actually spotted in practice with a ‘no contact’ jersey but there’s been no announced timetable for his return. And Jonathan Bernier should have a frequent traveler card after multiple trips into – and out of – the dangerous bowels of the Zone.

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

1. Does the team hand out an Iron Man award? If so, goaltender Jonathan Bernier should be the primary candidate. He came back from a concussion only to get hit in the head twice in one game. Then, he ends up returning with a special helmet to protect his head and ends up getting a cut on his hand which becomes so infected he needs it treated at a hospital and makes it difficult to grip his stick. But because Varlamov gets injured – again – Bernier finds a way to return to the net – again. Iron Man. He owns it.

2. The Avalanche struggled to handle the physical play of their California opponents their past two games. And their passing has seemed less crisp of late. Maybe the team is trying too hard and maybe the weight of the moment has them gripping their sticks a little too tight. But now is the time for them to shake off that weight of expectation and play like they have nothing to lose. Colorado should be the loosest team in the NHL in their last two games. No one expected them to be this good this year and reaching the playoffs is gravy on an incredible turnaround season. There should only be hope. And the thrill of the opportunity. The underdog role suits them well. Run with it and let the chips fall where they may. The youngest team in the NHL will be vying for a playoff spot coming off a 48 point season last year. Colorado has nothing to lose.

WHAT TO WATCH

Only two Avalanche games remain with a Wild Card slot in play. Ahhhh!

1. The Thursday night matchup in California against the San Jose Sharks starts at 8:30 pm MST, a killer of a late start. But the Avalanche will have two days off for the players to heal from their bumps and bruises, which at this juncture, is a good thing.

2. The Avalanche finish off the regular season hosting the St. Louis Blues at the Pepsi Center, with puck drop at 7 pm MST. It’s also fan appreciation night. The Avalanche faithful better show up to silence the Boo birds as the team could make or break their postseason dreams in the final regular season matchup. If you are a Blues fan, please consider giving your ticket to an Avalanche fan. You won’t like the atmosphere at the Can.

3. There are a few challenging scenarios to root for – basically, what it comes down to, Colorado faithful want the following teams to lose – the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and St. Louis Blues – so Colorado can make the postseason. And in a weird twist of fate, that leaves Avalanche fans rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks and *cough*, splutter, choke – (dare it be said?) – the Minnesota Wild – to win. It’s a cruel irony.

Two games remain in the regular season and the Avalanche still have a chance at the postseason. Who would have thought? Savor the next two games, regardless of the outcome. These moments have been all too rare in the past decade. And remember, it’s not over yet. So buckle up, grab your favorite beverage, and let the pucks fall where they may.