COLvsVAN Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/tag/colvsvan/ Chicago Blackhawks and NHL Salary Cap Information Thu, 14 Mar 2024 05:43:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/www.the-rink.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cropped-FavIcon_v3.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 COLvsVAN Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/tag/colvsvan/ 32 32 136660061 Avalanche comeback win claims first place in Central Division https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-comeback-win-claims-first-place-in-central-division/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-comeback-win-claims-first-place-in-central-division/#respond Thu, 14 Mar 2024 05:42:52 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28972 The second half of the Colorado Avalanche’s back-to-back Canadian run left much to be desired. Until a comeback 4–3 win in the third period, Colorado appeared to be slated to... Read more »

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]]> The second half of the Colorado Avalanche’s back-to-back Canadian run left much to be desired. Until a comeback 4–3 win in the third period, Colorado appeared to be slated to snap a four-game win streak.

After a shining 6–2 win over the Calgary Flames, the team was undoubtedly exhausted, and the absence of four impactful forwards immediately became noticeable against the Vancouver Canucks.

This game was the key to claiming the first-place seat in the Central Division, but the performance from the Avalanche was not living up to the standard set against the Flames.

Of course, this game was bound to be a hard-fought battle. For most of the season, Vancouver has been in the top three teams in the league. They are ten points ahead of the second-place team in the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers.

The good

Josh Manson dropped the gloves against Nikita Zodorov in the second period. While he picked up a five-minute penalty for fighting, it was the first burst of energy from Colorado in the game.

Mikko Rantanen finally put the Avalanche on the board with less than three seconds to go in the second period, and the goal held the potential to start an unstoppable force in the final frame.

Luckily for Colorado, the third period resembled the team seen in the previous four games. Nathan MacKinnon brought the game within one after taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play.

The tenacity of Rantanen and MacKinnon paved the way for Ross Colton to net his fourteenth goal of the season to tie the game.

In the third period alone, the Avalanche recorded 16 shots on goal, far outshining the Canucks’ three.

A late power play gave Colorado the man advantage in overtime. MacKinnon got the job done at the 30 second mark, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin’s visor.

The Avalanche are notorious for impossible comebacks, the most notable being against the Dallas Stars with a six-goal comeback on Nov. 18, 2023.

The bad

The Canucks wasted no time lighting the lamp and took an early lead, only 24 seconds into the first frame.

With the tone set, it was hard to slow their momentum. Vancouver scored another goal at the two-minute mark. Both goals were unfortunate tip-ins, but the Avalanche quickly spiraled into a deficit difficult to get out of.

Though much of the struggle was not just a lack of offensive pressure, but the Canucks left every ounce of defensive effort on the ice.

Going forward, Colorado cannot afford to leave their effort for the last period of the game. While there is an impressive track record for unforeseen comebacks, playoff games will not allow for any mistakes.

What’s next?

The Avalanche have 15 games to secure their spot in the Central Division, and it will be no easy task. The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars are also fighting for first place, and all three teams are within 4 points of each other.

Next on the schedule is the Edmonton Oilers, who the Avalanche have yet to face this season. The Oilers had a slow start to the season but are now securely in second place in the Pacific Division, leading the Los Angeles Kings by four points.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-comeback-win-claims-first-place-in-central-division/feed/ 0 28972 Johansen helps Avalanche get back on track https://www.the-rink.com/johansen-helps-avalanche-get-back-on-track/ https://www.the-rink.com/johansen-helps-avalanche-get-back-on-track/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:15:23 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28605 Since coming off a rough road trip, the Colorado Avalanche have been trying to recover and get back on track. Despite finding a 4–3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on... Read more »

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]]> Since coming off a rough road trip, the Colorado Avalanche have been trying to recover and get back on track.

Despite finding a 4–3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, the team is still facing a slump. Cale Makar hasn’t netted a goal since the beginning of February against the New Jersey Devils.

Prior to the game, Colorado held onto the second place slot in the Central Division standings. The Dallas Stars claimed the top spot, four points ahead of the Avalanche.

Though the team wouldn’t move up in the standings, they would find a three-point buffer between the Winnipeg Jets and themselves.

First period

The Vancouver Canucks suffered a 10–7 loss against the Minnesota Wild yesterday, undoubtedly leaving the team tired.

Still, it didn’t matter. The Avalanche came out of the gate, attacking the net with everything they had. Even though the team looked sharp and engaged, it would be the Canucks who scored first and brought any momentum to a screeching halt.

J.T. Miller fired a routine shot at the net and got past Alexandar Georgiev just after the halfway mark. Thatcher Demko kept Colorado off the scorecard and held onto their lead into the second period.

Both teams left the period with seven shots on goal.

Second period

Once again, the home team came out of the gate explosive and engaged.

Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews, and Makar all swarmed Demko, hoping at least one of them could break through his goaltending. While all tried to create an opening, it would be Ryan Johansen who would even the score only three minutes into the period.

Recently, Johansen has been struggling. His last goal was against the St. Louis Blues on December 29, 2023.

With the score tied at one, both teams would lock in a battle for the lead during the remaining 17 minutes of the period.

The Avalanche outshot their opponent by one for the period.

Third period

Maybe it was the newfound confidence after breaking a 20-game scoring drought, but Johansen once again found an opportunity to score and took it. His shot went over the shoulder of Demko, bringing Colorado ahead by one.

After taking the lead, the team seemed to hit their groove. Georgiev survived two attacks, making two different series of saves to keep the Avalanche afloat.

The Canucks desperately tried to regain control, yet fell short. Artturi Lehkonen sealed the deal with an empty net goal with only 40 seconds left. MacKinnon picked up the assist, marking a 27-game home point streak.

The team ultimately gains two points with a 3–1 victory at home and now trails the Dallas Stars by two points.

Takeaways

With the trade deadline getting closer and closer, the Avalanche have undoubtedly been looking at additions. To acquire a perfect fit for a Stanley Cup run, there has been a lot of discussion about who will make the final cut.

Prior to the return from a humiliating road trip, Johansen looked like he wouldn’t be in the running to make the final roster. After tonight’s performance, if the positive trend continues, the Avalanche might look for other ways to strengthen their roster.

The Avalanche will hit the road to Detroit on Thursday and face off against former teammate J.T. Compher.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/johansen-helps-avalanche-get-back-on-track/feed/ 0 28605 Avs and Makar win showdown with Canucks and Hughes https://www.the-rink.com/avs-and-makar-win-showdown-with-canucks-and-hughes/ https://www.the-rink.com/avs-and-makar-win-showdown-with-canucks-and-hughes/#respond Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:54:25 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27631 The Colorado Avalanche looked to bounce back after the horrendous finish against the Nashville Predators. Colorado needed to do it against the second-place Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver has become a young... Read more »

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  • The Colorado Avalanche looked to bounce back after the horrendous finish against the Nashville Predators. Colorado needed to do it against the second-place Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver has become a young and fast team that is proving itself in the Pacific Division, as they rank second behind the Vegas Golden Knights. It became more of a showdown between Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. Who is better? But who would help their team more and win the showdown?

    • Offense

    The Avalanche offense has not been struggling as of late. They converted on one of their four power play chances (one of them was only nine seconds long), and their puck movement in the zone has been excellent. While on the power play, the passes are on target and quick, making it so players like Nathan MacKinnon can get the shot off right away.

    Depth scoring

    Once again, the Avalanche did not have to depend on players like MacKinnon or Mikko Rantanen in order to do the scoring. Valeri Nichushkin scored a goal for the fifth game in a row. Miles Wood also earned his third assist in four games and started becoming more offensively minded. Jonathan Drouin buried his second goal of the season and Riley Tufte scored his first in an Avalanche sweater.

    Makar-Hughes showdown

    The argument outside of Colorado is that Hughes is better than Makar. We all know better and Wednesday night helped prove the point. Makar had a breakaway goal and an assist to Hughes’ single assist. Makar was also +3 to Hughes’ -1. Not to mention, Makar has also won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman of the year.

    Defense

    The issue for the Avalanche was their defense. Samuel Girard missed the game because of personal reasons, so Caleb Jones stepped up. The defense had issues rushing the puck out of the zone, leading to extended shifts in their own zone. Vancouver’s first goal directly resulted from this and then the Canucks sent it directly on net for a rebound. In the second period, Josh Manson tried to avoid a crosscheck from Brock Boeser and Manson hit him in the face. The officials reviewed the penalty and called Manson for a five-minute major and a game misconduct, resulting in automatic ejection.

    Analysis

    The Avalanche played a whole 60 minutes last night and that matters most. After the debacle in Nashville, they realized they can never relax. A fast-paced game to start slowed to a trickle because of penalties in the second, but Colorado could manage it. Makar won this round against Hughes and the Avalanche will go into Minnesota flying high off the 5–2 win.

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