Avalanche

[Tony Palazzolo]

History isn't kind to teams that go crazy early in seasons. By the time they get to the end of the season there is little to play for. They tend to lose those habits that made them successful.

[PregnantNun]

Nates 1st half is one of the best of all time.

Pacing for 142 points and +105

Crazy

A +105 would be the 3rd best of all time and better than any of Gretzky's seasons. Gretzky finished one season at +100. The top 2, I think, are Orr and Larry Robinson.

[stlblue06]

History isn't kind to teams that go crazy early in seasons. By the time they get to the end of the season there is little to play for. They tend to lose those habits that made them successful.

That and never facing adversity is a major factor. Once the playoffs start those teams feel pressure for the first time all season with their season on the line

[TAFKAP]

Before they lost yesterday, Columbus was .500 and all 15 other teams in the East had a better record.

out West, nine teams arrayed between +1 and -3 in terms of wins minus regulation losses, that is a huge outlier from what is normally seen. Blues have the most regulation wins of this group which is first tiebreaker.

The 8th place team is likely getting the Avs round 1 at this rate. Avs are +23, Dallas +17, Minnesota +13, Vegas +9, Anaheim +8, Kings +5, Oilers +4.

Man, I'd LOVE to squeak in this year, as long as we don't trade Binny. I'll take Colorado in the first round. All that pressure, ripe for a Boston/Tampa type exit.

Mackinnon and Makar wont let them fall flat. No way.

They don't have Kadri. That's the only thing that saved them in '22

Was that the only thing? The Blues didn’t exactly dominate play. FFS

You're absolutely right, but, Darcy Kuemper in that series had an .890 sv% vs Binny's .949. The only games we weren't in were 3 after the injury and 4 when Perron was more interested in revenge. Nate had 3 goals that entire series and they all came in Game 5. Makar had 3 assists total in the series. So yeah, I'll stand by my claim that without Kadri running Binny, the Blues upset them in Round 2.

[TheJackBurton]

Before they lost yesterday, Columbus was .500 and all 15 other teams in the East had a better record.

out West, nine teams arrayed between +1 and -3 in terms of wins minus regulation losses, that is a huge outlier from what is normally seen. Blues have the most regulation wins of this group which is first tiebreaker.

The 8th place team is likely getting the Avs round 1 at this rate. Avs are +23, Dallas +17, Minnesota +13, Vegas +9, Anaheim +8, Kings +5, Oilers +4.

Man, I'd LOVE to squeak in this year, as long as we don't trade Binny. I'll take Colorado in the first round. All that pressure, ripe for a Boston/Tampa type exit.

Mackinnon and Makar wont let them fall flat. No way.

They don't have Kadri. That's the only thing that saved them in '22

Blues gave Avs more of fight than the other three teams that year.

But the boldfaced is overstated. Avs went 16-4 in the playoffs. By comparison, that would be 131 points in the regular season.

Blues were outshot 226-154 in the series; Blues outshot them in exactly one game 32-31 (game two). My bad memory is that Avs outshot every team by period, minus the Blues.

Simply a dynamo.

It's hard to take the Avs shots on goal seriously though. Their game plan is as soon as they get in the offensive zone to get the puck on net to get a freeze so that they can get MacKinnon and Makar out on the ice for an offensive zone faceoff. I'd say at least 10 of their shots on goals are never expected to go in, they are simply to accomplish that.

[ManitobaBlues]

Before they lost yesterday, Columbus was .500 and all 15 other teams in the East had a better record.

out West, nine teams arrayed between +1 and -3 in terms of wins minus regulation losses, that is a huge outlier from what is normally seen. Blues have the most regulation wins of this group which is first tiebreaker.

The 8th place team is likely getting the Avs round 1 at this rate. Avs are +23, Dallas +17, Minnesota +13, Vegas +9, Anaheim +8, Kings +5, Oilers +4.

Man, I'd LOVE to squeak in this year, as long as we don't trade Binny. I'll take Colorado in the first round. All that pressure, ripe for a Boston/Tampa type exit.

Mackinnon and Makar wont let them fall flat. No way.

They don't have Kadri. That's the only thing that saved them in '22

Blues gave Avs more of fight than the other three teams that year.

But the boldfaced is overstated. Avs went 16-4 in the playoffs. By comparison, that would be 131 points in the regular season.

Blues were outshot 226-154 in the series; Blues outshot them in exactly one game 32-31 (game two). My bad memory is that Avs outshot every team by period, minus the Blues.

Simply a dynamo.

It's hard to take the Avs shots on goal seriously though. Their game plan is as soon as they get in the offensive zone to get the puck on net to get a freeze so that they can get MacKinnon and Makar out on the ice for an offensive zone faceoff. I'd say at least 10 of their shots on goals are never expected to go in, they are simply to accomplish that.

That’s been their identity ever since Nolan Pratt helped establish that approach. Another key factor with the Avs is that their third and fourth lines can hold their own, which allows them to maintain pressure throughout the lineup.

They’re also consistently strong around the net—always in front, battling for position, and driving pucks to the crease. That commitment to net-front play is a big reason why they’re so difficult to defend against.

[skeezix]

It's so refreshing to see another of Enos' investments is paying off.

[TAFKAP]

It's so refreshing to see another of Enos' investments is paying off.

I hope it ends with a Boston Tampa type humiliation. Remember the last President's Trophy winner to also win the Cup was the 2013 Blackhawks*.

[dugoutrex]

Stan knows how to run a franchise that's for sure!

[PPG]

The Avs generate a lot of shots no doubt, but they also generate a ton of point blank shots and great scoring opportunities. Eventually they find the back of the net.
Wht's really impressive this year is they lead the league in goals for AND goals against. That is a very rare occurence. High scoring teams typically do NOT play stingy defense and vice versa...
Also Carolina has a similar offensive plan as they also generate a lot of shots. Their problem is they don't have enough finishers or game breakers like the Avs do.

[theograce]

The Avs generate a lot of shots no doubt, but they also generate a ton of point blank shots and great scoring opportunities. Eventually they find the back of the net.
Wht's really impressive this year is they lead the league in goals for AND goals against. That is a very rare occurence. High scoring teams typically do NOT play stingy defense and vice versa...
Also Carolina has a similar offensive plan as they also generate a lot of shots. Their problem is they don't have enough finishers or game breakers like the Avs do.

They can play tough too and stick up for each other. It’s one of the best teams I’ve watched in the past 20 or so years. They can beat you in any way.

[dhsux]

The Avs generate a lot of shots no doubt, but they also generate a ton of point blank shots and great scoring opportunities. Eventually they find the back of the net.
Wht's really impressive this year is they lead the league in goals for AND goals against. That is a very rare occurence. High scoring teams typically do NOT play stingy defense and vice versa...
Also Carolina has a similar offensive plan as they also generate a lot of shots. Their problem is they don't have enough finishers or game breakers like the Avs do.

Highest scoring team and one of the worst on pp.

What happens if they get the pp going?

Like I said before, just glad it's happening now....lots can happen between now and April.

[DawgDad]

The Blues were living rent-free in Nate Mac's head at the end of last season. Could it happen again?

[theograce]

The Blues were living rent-free in Nate Mac's head

Laughing

[a smell of green grass]

How many Colorado TOP5 picks are on their roster? Asking for a friend.

[Aesa]

How many Colorado TOP5 picks are on their roster? Asking for a friend.

Tell your friend... nobody cares.