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The Sky Is Not Falling; Josh Manson Struggles Continue |
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The Colorado Avalanche has lost three in a row for the first time since October and nobody should really care.
The Edmonton Oilers clinched a berth with a 6-3 win over the 'Avs. Connor McDavid had three assists and Evander Kane had a four-point night that included a hat trick.
It was another so-so showing from the shorthanded 'Avs. When asked about Colorado's performance after the game, Nathan Mackinnon said "we're shooting ourselves in the foot a lot of the time."
Florida is now two points up on the 'Avs for the President's Trophy race or as I like to call it "a lousy consolation prize for not winning the Stanley Cup." In the last 20 years, only three teams have won the Cup and the PT in the same season.
The lone bright spot was Val Nichushkin's two goals. The 27-year-old is having a career year with 24 goals and 26 assists in 59 games. He had just 23 goals in his previous 120 games with Colorado.
Despite the loss, the sky is not falling. People need to relax. Losing is never fun but losing in the playoffs is gut-wrenching and until they lose four games in a series there is plenty to relish about this team and this season. Don't fuel the narrative and enjoy the ride.
Now.... about Josh Manson.
Perhaps people had the wrong idea about Manson. He's been little more than a placeholder in Anaheim for the last several seasons. His addition to the 'Avs roster definitely adds a bit of edge but it also adds power plays opportunities for the opponents and a slew of bad decision making.
In 18 games with Colorado Manson is a minus-11 with 10 PIMs. He was not good vs. Edmonton and finished with a minus-3.
It's possible that this deadline additional may see more time in the press box than time on the ice for this playoff run.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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