$5 Takeaways From Colorado Avalanche\'s Early-Season Play$

5 Takeaways From Colorado Avalanche's Early-Season Play

By Shaun Lavery

5 Takeaways From Colorado Avalanche' Early-Season Play

5 Takeaways From Colorado Avalanche' Early-Season Play — The Colorado Avalanche were the biggest surprises in the NHL last season, winning their division and making it to the playoffs. They were a young, fast team, who under head coach Patrick Roy, came out of nowhere to win the division. This season, however, they have done the complete opposite. They are a struggling team who can’t string wins together, and the playoffs seem to be too far out of reach.

5. Gabriel Landeskog Is Having A Tough Year

Gabreil Landeskog Colorado Avalanche 2014-15

5. Gabriel Landeskog Is Having A Tough Year

Gabreil Landeskog Colorado Avalanche 2014-15 — Landeskog tallied 65 points for the Avalanche in 2013, but he only has seven points this year. Despite being second on the team in shots, he only has four goals, a tough pill to swallow for the Colorado Captain. His minus-11 rating is second worse on the team and things need to turn around quickly for Landeskog if the team wants to have success.

4. Semyon Varlamov Needs To Play Better

Semyon Varlamov Colorado Avalanche 2014-15

4. Semyon Varlamov Needs To Play Better

Semyon Varlamov Colorado Avalanche 2014-15 — If your goaltender is not playing well, your team may struggle, such is the case in Colorado. Varlamov played a major role in the Avalanche’s division-winning campaign last year. His statistics have unfortunately gotten worse this year and he has been dealing with injuries. Varlamov is capable of winning with Colorado, it just hasn’t happened very much this season.

3. Colorado Is Struggling Defensively

Colorado Avalanche Defence 2014-15

3. Colorado Is Struggling Defensively

Colorado Avalanche Defence 2014-15 — At 3.10 goals against per game, the Colorado Avalanche have the seventh worst goals against rating by team in the NHL. While defensemen, such as Tyson Barrie, have contributed offensively, taking care of their own zone should be their first priority. It’s hard to expect to win by scoring at-least four goals every night. Defense needs to improve for the Avalanche.

2. It’s Going To Be A Tough Recovery

Colorado Avalanche Playoffs 2014-15

2. It’s Going To Be A Tough Recovery

Colorado Avalanche Playoffs 2014-15 — While there are still several months before the playoffs start, it looks like Colorado won’t be in the post-season picture come springtime. They are just having a tough year across the board, goaltending, defense and offense. Things need to turn around quick for the Avalanche if they want to play in the playoffs. Keep in mind though, they weren’t supposed to be in the playoffs last year either, then they won the Central Division.

1. Team Misses Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny Colorado Avalanche 2014-15

1. Team Misses Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny Colorado Avalanche 2014-15 — Scoring 60 points in 71 games played for the Avalanche last season, Stastny was one of Colorado’s top producers offensively. After losing him to the St. Louis Blues via free agency, Colorado has had to rely on guys like Nathan MacKinnion to replace Stastny’s numbers. It’s hard to rely on a 19-year old to do that, but Paul Stastny’s departure definitely left a big hole in the Colorado lineup.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google.

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Colorado Avalanche

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