Since the major trade that resulted in Mikko Rantanen leaving town, the atmosphere for the Colorado Avalanche has felt off. They have fallen short since the trade, most recently suffering a difficult 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders.
Heading back home to kick off a two-game home stretch, the Avalanche had to take action. Fortunately, they emerged and promptly buried the St. Louis Blues. Let’s delve into the key highlights from the Avalanche’s 5-0 victory against their divisional opponent.
Drouin Becoming Active
When in the roster, Jonathan Drouin has been an essential component for the Avalanche. He has appeared in only 20 games this season, yet he has been active since the calendar switched to 2025, which is a good indication. Strong performances like the one he displayed against the Blues are significant advantages.
Drouin netted two of the first three goals for the Avalanche and provided an assist on the fourth in a 4-0 opening period. In the 15 matches since his return to the team, Drouin has recorded 12 assists and 14 points. In his previous five matches, he has recorded two multi-point games and a total of six points.
Drouin will be essential in relieving some pressure from Nathan MacKinnon, particularly as he readies himself for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Once Valeri Nichushkin returns to the lineup, the Avalanche will become one of the deepest and most formidable teams in the league.
Necas Blending In Well
While losing Rantanen in a trade was painful, acquiring Martin Necas has alleviated some of the hurt. He has scored in his last three games and netted his first as a member of the Avalanche on Friday night during a clever rush down the center. The Avalanche might still make more trades, but acquiring Necas and Jack Drury is a more valuable return than many understand.
Although much can occur between now and the playoffs, the Avalanche are striving diligently for seeding. A tough pairing in the initial round can challenge even the best teams, making every point crucial at this moment.
Necas will be crucial in the final games. If he can rediscover his scoring ability from the start of the season on a more offensively talented Avalanche team, it will make them tougher to compete against in the long term.
An Evening Away for Blackwood
It’s amusing how the storyline has changed so much since the start of the season. During the initial two months, the primary topic of conversation was the poor state of the goaltending situation. Certainly, it would undermine any hope the Avalanche displayed.
Then Mackenzie Blackwood arrived in town, and everything has become more stable than ever. He was formidable that night, blocking all 19 shots directed at him in what felt like a night off. The Avalanche limited the Blues to only five shots in the third period and didn’t permit double digits in any period.
Opportunity Lies Ahead
Competing in the Central Division presents obstacles on most evenings. That being mentioned, the timetable becomes somewhat more favorable for the Avalanche. They face the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames (two times), Blues, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks in their next 10 matches. They also face off against the Minnesota Wild, essential for positioning strategies.
At this point, each game is important, yet this is an opportunity for the Avalanche to regain their momentum. Handle your responsibilities against the teams you ought to defeat, and the five-point difference between you and the second-place Dallas Stars will vanish.
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