Unpacking Avalanche’s Commanding Victory: 3 Key Insights from Their Domination Over Central Division Rivals

The Colorado Avalanche have had a mixed bag lately, going 4-5-1 in their last ten games. However, they found their rhythm against the St. Louis Blues, delivering a strong performance that ended in a decisive 5-0 victory. This win improved their record to 30-21-2.

Here are three important takeaways from the game:

1. Drouin Shines in the First Period

Right from the start, the Avalanche made a statement. They scored four goals in the first period, and Jonathan Drouin played a key role. He netted two goals and added an assist, showcasing his offensive skills early in the game. This performance brought his season totals to eight goals and 14 assists, helping to spread the scoring load for the team.

2. Strong Defense and Blackwood’s Shutout

The Avalanche have often relied on their offensive firepower, but their defense shone bright in this game. They outshot the Blues 36-19, putting a lot of pressure on St. Louis. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood enjoyed the support, achieving his first shutout as an Avalanche player and the 13th of his NHL career. When the team limits opponents to under 20 shots, their chances of winning greatly improve.

3. Ongoing Challenge with the Blues

This win was crucial, but the Avalanche will face St. Louis three more times this season. Each game is an opportunity to gain important standings points and potentially hinder the Blues’ playoff chances. The next matchups are February 23 in St. Louis, March 29 in Colorado, and April 5 back in St. Louis. Given their dominant performance, the Avalanche should feel confident going into these games and strive to keep the pressure on their rivals.