Well, what an interesting last 10 games it has been for the Avs! The Avs have had some serious injury issues, some very long road trips, a lot of tests, and there are definitely a lot of questions still to answer about this team.
At the beginning of the evening, the Avs were ranked 1st in the NHL in goals scored, with 108, so there has really been no issue with this team scoring goals. The only issue is that they are also up there in the goals allowed, with 95. All things said, however, they have held tough.
Once again, the Avs began to face adversity when Craig Anderson got injured a second time, with a groin pull this time around. Chris Stewart got injured while beating an opponent to a pulp in a fight. The Avs promptly had a streak of 5 games where the Avs seriously struggled. Especially defensively. There have been some seriously questionable defensive plays by the likes of Ryan Wilson and Kyle Quincey and our new acquisition, Matt Hunwick. But, coach Sacco addressed the issues, switched up some pairings, and the Avs, with a win in Chicago tonight (and it looks like they are headed that way right now with a 4-2 lead in the third) they will take the division lead in the northwest division. Yet, questions remain!
Questions
Can Craig Anderson stay healthy!?
He's looked good since he came back from his injury. With the win (that just now finished in Chicago) he's 4-0-2 in his last 6 games. He's really got to stay healthy to give the Avs some consistency because, as good as Budaj was in the first time that Anderson got hurt, Budaj was HORRIBLE in the second round of starting for the injured Andy. We've got to keep him in the net.
If he can stay healthy, can he maintain the form from last year?
Then, we need that form. The Avs have played much better defensively than last year. Last year, they were outshot badly in MOST of their games, they have been far more assertive this year.
Why has it taken so long to bring Jonas Holos back to the line up?
The Avs were having defensive issues earlier in the year as well, and then Jonas Holos came up with a couple of injuries and so much happened! The Avs called up Holos, and suddenly the Power play picked up, Holos was a +5 while he was up, and the Avs were really playing well. Then he got sent down when people were coming back from injury, and we saw some pretty awful play **quincey, wilson** cough cough.
Is there any hope of getting more size back on that blue line?
In one of 2 trades that the Avs made, they picked up a carbon copy of Kyle Cumiskey in Matt Hunwick. In exchange, we gave up a pretty good sized, young defensemen with a huge shot, Colby Cohen. We got smaller, which is one of our biggest issues. Yes, Hunwick can skate like the wind, but put him down behind his own net fighting for the puck against a strong power forward, and who do you think is going to come out with it?
What will be done with the likes of Kyle Cumiskey and Kyle Quincey?
Kyle Cumiskey has been out with a concussion for a while, and while he was in the line-up, everybody always had to hold their collective breath while he is on the ice. He makes VERY bad decisions with the puck, and stands no chance against anybody in front of his own net, or down low. So, with a little guy, who has a big concussion, whose really only redeeming trait is that he can skate really, really fast. So, we either send him down to Lake Eerie, the Avalanche minor league affiliate. The Avs could use him as trade bait, but who would bite on a guy like him? Undersized, no real shot, bad in his own end, but really fast.
Pluses!
Tomas Fleischmann. This guy has exploded in the past couple of games. Hat-trick tonight against the Hawks, and seems to have great chemistry with Matt Duchene, which can be all you really need to jumpstart things. He was struggling in Washington, but is now proving to be more than worth what the Avs gave up, Scott Hannan, to get him.
Matt Duchene
This guy has really started scoring. After tonight, with 2 more assists, he is now tied for the team lead in scoring with 32 points. This kid is going to be, and I mean very soon, the next great leader for the Avs. Next year is the end of his rookie contract, expect the Avs to tie him up LONG term.
Greg Mauldin
Wait, who?!? That's right, Greg Mauldin. Just watch this guy play, and you will be a fan of him. From the second he jumps on the ice to the moment he gets off the ice, he is going full steam; attacking the puck and everybody that has it. In the last 10 games he has 2 short handed goals. He's great defensively, is physical, and surprises people with his speed. Reminds me of a lot of the things that Dan Hinote used to do for the Avs. Lots of good stuff is coming for Mauldin.
Kevin Shattenkirk
Lots of people were expecting him to make the team out of camp this year, but he didn't. He came up with some of the injuries, and was immediately effective. This guy isn't big, but he plays much bigger than he is, and he's so smart. His body position is always good, he reverses the flow at the right times, and he has some serious speed as well! In 19 games, he has 16 points. He's active offensively, but still smart and effective defensively. Something that our D has been lacking. Very happy with his play, and don't expect to see him leaving the line-up any time soon.
So what is to come? Well, in the next 19 games, the Avs play 15 at home. This could be a HUGE time for them to try and keep themselves atop their division, and possibly the conference. They have played quite well at home, and hope to continue their great offensive position. The only thing they could do to improve where they stand right now is to get a little bit bigger and more intimidating on the blue line. Other than that, keep the goals coming, the Avs could be in for a lot of wins right now. This could be a defining stretch for this team. Are they going to establish themselves as a top tier team in the Western Conference? Or will they stay in the middle of the pack? I suppose we will see.
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