Something Is Finally Clicking: 4 Big Reasons Why

It's a well-known fact that the Colorado Avalanche are typically not a team that can both start and end the game strong.  However, in the last couple games it looks like the Avalanche are trying to change this fact.

Anyone who watched Saturday night's game against Edmonton saw a difference with the Avalanche's playing, especially in the first period. In this period, the Avalanche scored three goals in only 12 shot attempts.  Three goals in the first is something we haven't seen from this team in a long time.

This strong start, was mirrored in the afternoon match up against the Nashville Predators.  Two of the six goals scored by the Avalanche were in the first period.  These early goals strongly effected the momentum of the Avalanche on the ice.  They took that momentum into the second period scoring four goals.

Even though we only beat Nashville, there has been a clear change in Colorado's approach to the game.  I have come up with four reasons why :

1. Quick and early goals. In the game against Edmonton, Cody McLeod scored the first goal only 1:22 into the first period. Against Nashville, Paul Stastny and Jamie McGinn both scored quick goals, with only :13 inbetween the two, securing our lead of 6-3. These early goals quickly changed the momentum of the game.

2. Defensemen playing the blue line. Defensemen are playing more offensively  and carrying it past the blue line.  Tyson Barrie, is a clear example of this.  He had his first career NHL goal against Nashville, and picked up two assists against Edmonton.

3.Staying out of the penalty box. In comparison to the start of the season, the Avalanche are doing a much better job of keeping out of the penalty box by only serving minor penalties.

4.The Iron Curtain: Semyon Varlamov. Words can not express the amazing ability of this young goalie.  Varlamov, stopped 50 shots against Edmonton; the second highest total in team saves. First goes to Patrick Roy, with 51 saves against Toronto back in December of 1997 (NHL.com.) Varlamov also stopped 33 shots against Nashville. There is no doubt that Varlamov is one of the key reasons to this team's new strength.