The Colorado Avalanche's start to the season has been impressive, with a 5-0-2 record and currently sitting atop the Central Division, boasting a goal differential of 10. Players up and down the lineup have stepped up in big moments, including Scott Wedgwood, who has been outstanding with MacKenzie Blackwood hurt. Despite the great start to the season, the team could have been 7-0-0 if there was one thing that needed to change drastically. This issue was evident last season in their poor start, and it carried over to the beginning of this season. The power play has been abysmally ineffective, while the penalty kills have stood firm.

Penalty Kill Starting Strong

Currently tied for 10th in the NHL in penalty kill percentage (83.3%), it's been a tale of how the team defends against the power play and the level of goaltending they are receiving. Both units have looked strong, reading passes well, breaking up plays, and putting their body on the line to block shots, especially with players like Logan O’Connor, Parker Kelly, and Samuel Girard out of the lineup, who are all crucial to the penalty kill.

More time is being given to the PK, with Valeri Nichushkin, Sam Malinski, and Artturi Lehkonen providing solid support to the team until those key players return to the lineup. Especially considering last season, when O’Connor finished third in average time on ice on the PK (1:58), Girard ninth (1:26), and Kiviranta 11th (1:24), and Jack Drury continues to improve his defensive game as a staple to this shutdown unit.

The other key factor has been Wedgewood’s performance in net this season as the starting goaltender. Blackwood has been practicing and could return soon from his recovery, but for now, Wedgewood has kept them in multiple games, including his work during the penalty kill. He made numerous clutch saves and did a good job tracking the puck with bodies in front of him. The Avalanche have only allowed three power-play goals this season, while the league average is currently five; thus, things are going well defensively and could only improve once players who are injured start returning to the lineup.

Mackenzie Blackwood’s conditioning stint with Eagles ends early as Avalanche eye return Mackenzie Blackwood’s unexpectedly brief conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles appears to signal a pivotal step in his recovery, positioning him for an imminent return to the Avalanche’s NHL roster.

The Avalanche finished 12th in penalty kill perecentage last season at 79.8%. Thanks to a deeper lineup than they had the previous season and stronger goaltending, this season could see them finish in the top 10 for the first time since the 2020-21 season, when they finished at 83.1% and ranked eighth within the NHL (in a shorter bubble season, of course).

Power Play Not Living Up To Expectations

Despite the firepower this team has, the man advantage remains an issue that continues to plague the team, showing that last year's struggles have yet to be fully addressed with an improved roster. Through the nine games played, the Avalanche have the third-worst power play in the league, boasting an unimpressive 11.5% on the season. Only the Carolina Hurricanes (9.5%) and Nashville Predators (8.3%) have a worse power play so far. Despite the team boasting the second-best shots on goal per game played at 33.3 and boasting over 70 shots on goal on the power play itself, “shoot the puck” honestly isn’t the most significant issue; it's the quality of the shots they are generating. 

So, how do they fix this issue? It's time to shake up the power play units and the roles assigned to them. Brock Nelson looks out of place with his net-front presence, which hasn't been awful, but someone like Gabriel Landeskog or Nichushkin could do a much better job. The team needs to understand how Necas and MacKinnon can effectively collaborate and how, despite having similar skill sets, they can clash with one another, ruining the team's ability to generate any offensive rhythm. Without a larger player positioned in front of the net or in the bumper area, the team has struggled to create any loose puck opportunities in front of the net. 

Newly appointed assistant coach Dave Hakstol implemented a new 2-1-2 system, contrasting with Ray Bennett's former 1-3-1 formation. This marks a significant shift from Bennett's less dynamic approach, as Hakstol’s strategy emphasizes player movement and high-low passing to stretch the defense. Players like Olofsson, though new to the team, have spoken out about the lack of production, but emphasize the work that's being put into it and how Bednar recognizes the change in format from Bennett to Hakstol and is working to get the team on sync with these new changes.

Olofsson believes power play can become a key factor Olofsson remains confident that Colorado’s power play, though slow to start, will soon become a decisive weapon.

This could be a matter of time; there is too much talent on this roster to have a bottom-five power play. We can look back on this come game 82 and remember the woes we once experienced, but for now, things have to change, and thankfully, there are 75 more games to do so.

Avalanche fall 4-3 in overtime to Mammoth despite rally It was a sloppy game, but the Avalanche fought tooth and nail to give themselves a fighting chance at the end.

Colorado Avalanche Officially Unveil 30th-Anniversary Quebec Nordiques Jerseys The Colorado Avalanche on X have officially announced/revealed that they will be honoring the Quebec Nordiques this season with a special third jersey for their 30th Anniversary.