Rick Sadowski: Avs enter Olympics break in playoff shape

(Imagine if NHL realignment hadn't taken place. The Avalanche would lead the Northwest Division by 10 points and be in line for no worse than the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.)

I hadn't even thought about that. They'd have home advantage that way and be set for a showdown with the Wild.

With 24 games remaining, the Avs have the potential to go on a decent win-streak and they can propel to the top of the league. Not that I'm greedy enough to expect that from them. But at least second place in the division should be attainable. The next five games will be severe tests, though.

What do they need to do in order to snatch second or first place? If they meet the Blues in the first round it'll be hell, especially if the Blues have home advantage.

As per Sports Club Stats, the Avs are 100 percent in the playoffs with 2.3 percent for winning the Cup, as of their last game with the Isles.

I hadn't even thought about that. They'd have home advantage that way and be set for a showdown with the Wild.

With 24 games remaining, the Avs have the potential to go on a decent win-streak and they can propel to the top of the league. Not that I'm greedy enough to expect that from them. But at least second place in the division should be attainable. The next five games will be severe tests, though.

What do they need to do in order to snatch second or first place? If they meet the Blues in the first round it'll be hell, especially if the Blues have home advantage.

As per Sports Club Stats, the Avs are 100 percent in the playoffs with 2.3 percent for winning the Cup, as of their last game with the Isles.
- nayefj

Based on points and games remaining, the 8th and 9th place teams would have to run the table on a 24 game win streak if the Avs just played 500 hockey to finish the year. So we go at the very least 14-10 we would be very comfortable in the playoff standings.

16-8 and we would be laughing.

Nice to see Matt break out of his slump and to see Mac continue his streak. And the rookie of the year goes to ....

@adater 10h

Ryan O'Reilly will not be traded this season, per sources

@adater 10h

Avs may dangle Parenteau for a D-man at the deadline.That's the only big deal that might happen

@adater 10h

Ryan O'Reilly will not be traded this season, per sources

@adater 10h

Avs may dangle Parenteau for a D-man at the deadline.That's the only big deal that might happen
- nayefj

If Tanguay is healthy and ready for the trade deadline PAP will be moved, but if Tangs is still looking banged up and needs mroe time, PAP will stay

@adater 10h

Ryan O'Reilly will not be traded this season, per sources

@adater 10h

Avs may dangle Parenteau for a D-man at the deadline.That's the only big deal that might happen
- nayefj

He's also saying that Stastny is safe.

He's also saying that Stastny is safe.
- TravisK

No surprise there, we would be a weaker team with Stastny out of the line up for the playoffs. We need both him and ROR as part of this team moving forward to keep on being successful, our biggest asset is our forward depth.

Lets address the D issues this offseason instead of making a bigger move at the deadline by moving a forward. Only PAP could be moved if Tanguay is healthy, if not lets roll the dice with our current line up

Even if Stastny were to sign elsewhere this off season, I wouldn't say it would be losing him for 'nothing'. $6.6 million is it? That's probably going to really help us land a big fish on D this coming free agency.

Even if Stastny were to sign elsewhere this off season, I wouldn't say it would be losing him for 'nothing'. $6.6 million is it? That's probably going to really help us land a big fish on D this coming free agency.
- Fols19

It is up to management to keep this group together. Take less to stay and build a championship team. Or, be greedy and go.

Duchene slated to be healthy scratch for Team Canada right now. Lines at practice were showing

Kunitz Crosby Carter
Nash Toews Sharp
Perry Getzlaf Marleau
Bergeron Tavares Benn
St Louis Duchene

Keith Weber
Vlasic Doughty
Jay-Bo Pietrangelo
Subban Hamius

Duchene slated to be healthy scratch for Team Canada right now. Lines at practice were showing

Kunitz Crosby Carter
Nash Toews Sharp
Perry Getzlaf Marleau
Bergeron Tavares Benn
St Louis Duchene

Keith Weber
Vlasic Doughty
Jay-Bo Pietrangelo
Subban Hamius
- DDM-Coga

To bad for him but I am guessing he will get a shot during the round robin. If not, good learning experience and motivator for the next 4 years.

Duchene slated to be healthy scratch for Team Canada right now. Lines at practice were showing

Kunitz Crosby Carter
Nash Toews Sharp
Perry Getzlaf Marleau
Bergeron Tavares Benn
St Louis Duchene

Keith Weber
Vlasic Doughty
Jay-Bo Pietrangelo
Subban Hamius
- DDM-Coga

Are they all healthy?

To bad for him but I am guessing he will get a shot during the round robin. If not, good learning experience and motivator for the next 4 years.
- AvsFanYeaa

they have 2 more practices until the 1st game, so line ups can change before then, but right now thats what Team Canada was looking at.

Carter and Marleau getting cracks at the roster right now sort of surprise me, but who knows after a game or 2 of which of those guys are not firing, can see Duchene slot in for Marleau

Are they all healthy?
- bixll

Yup, no injurys to that lineup right now

Yup, no injurys to that lineup right now
- DDM-Coga

Too bad this is not a year from now, I think Mac would have made the team. The way he is playing lately.

Too bad this is not a year from now, I think Mac would have made the team. The way he is playing lately.
- bixll

Duchene will draw into the lineup, guaranteed if the lines dont change after practice and the 1st game, they will give him a look during the 2nd game

Duchene will draw into the lineup, guaranteed if the lines dont change after practice and the 1st game, they will give him a look during the 2nd game
- DDM-Coga

No doubt, he is too talented not be there.

Duchene will draw into the lineup, guaranteed if the lines dont change after practice and the 1st game, they will give him a look during the 2nd game
- DDM-Coga

This was the fear of the goal slump although I don't know if that played too big of a factor.

I'd take Duchene over Carter everyday of the week.

This was the fear of the goal slump although I don't know if that played too big of a factor.

I'd take Duchene over Carter everyday of the week.
- Fols19

I think Babcock is overthinking the big body on every line strategy. I dont see Carter lasting too long on the top line, he hasnt scored much either compared to Duchene

This was the fear of the goal slump although I don't know if that played too big of a factor.

I'd take Duchene over Carter everyday of the week.
- Fols19

I don't see how anyone can disagree with you there.

Also: Duchene will end up playing and won't be removed from the lineup after.


Dare I say, same thing with Subban.

Duchene slated to be healthy scratch for Team Canada right now. Lines at practice were showing

Kunitz Crosby Carter
Nash Toews Sharp
Perry Getzlaf Marleau
Bergeron Tavares Benn
St Louis Duchene

Keith Weber
Vlasic Doughty
Jay-Bo Pietrangelo
Subban Hamius
- DDM-Coga

They also said that line ups are expected to be shuffled a ton and frequently

They also said that line ups are expected to be shuffled a ton and frequently
- Meeqsb

I know I later added to that, but as of day 1 thats what its looking like. Just more shocked about Carter being on the top line to start with

But now more excited about Landeskog being an A for Sweden. Thats a huge statement for him to be named to a leadership role over a lot of the other vets

Duchene slated to be healthy scratch for Team Canada right now. Lines at practice were showing

Kunitz Crosby Carter
Nash Toews Sharp
Perry Getzlaf Marleau
Bergeron Tavares Benn
St Louis Duchene

Keith Weber
Vlasic Doughty
Jay-Bo Pietrangelo
Subban Hamius
- DDM-Coga

All things considered that's not surprising. He could still get a shot if the team struggles.

All things considered that's not surprising. He could still get a shot if the team struggles.
- Drij

DAY #2 - Duchene is still on the outside looking in. Hope it's just for one game.

I hate to say it, but i'm a much larger Avs fan than I am Olympic fan. I realize that it's a big deal but it still feels more like an all star game than a Stanley Cup finals. With that being said, if Duchene is watching from the press box, i'll be cheering for the Avs that are playing even if it's against Canada.

Example 1 - Duchene is out of the line-up and Landeskog scores a game winner vs Canada, I will cheer.

Example 2 - Jeff Carter is on a breakaway and Varly stones him....I will cheer.

Example 3 - Paul Stas..........wait a minute, i'm not cheering for USA!