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Now, call me crazy but I still haven't given up on the 2014-2015 Avalanche campaign quite yet. Yes, the Avs are 10 points out of playoff position but a good stretch of games could bring them back in the hunt. Colorado has picked up points in their last three games and now play the first game of a back-to-back starting tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Games against teams like Buffalo are must wins for the Avalanche right now.
So what should we all expect in Saturday night's match up against the Sabres? The answer is a hell of a lot of shots. The Avalanche currently allow 34.5 shots per game, which is 29th in the league. The team behind them? None other than the Sabres who allow 36 shots per game. Both goalies should be seeing their fair share of rubber tonight.
Buffalo Spotlight: Chris Stewart
Remember this guy? Former Avalanche great player Chris Stewart has been involved in some trade rumors throughout the league this season. The guy that once scored 28 goals for the Avalanche in 2009-2010 has not put up those numbers since. Stewart currently sits with only three goals on the season with two assists and a solid -15 plus/minus. Maybe a move to a new team will do him some good. One of the teams rumored to be interested in Stewart? The Boston Bruins who have an assistant coach by the name of Joe Sacco. Maybe the third time is the charm for those two, who knows?
Avalanche Spotlight: Erik Johnson and Jan Hejda
All of the commenters may freak out at me for giving the defense some credit but Erik Johnson and Jan Hejda have been a solid pair for the Avalanche in the past three games. Johnson has two goals, is a +2 and has logged over 23 minutes of ice time each night. Hejda has an assist, is also a +2 and has averaged over 20 minutes a night. These two guys have been solid. If only the rest of the team could be too.
Other news and notes
- Semyon Varlamov could return tonight for the Avalanche if he is deemed ready to go. I am writing this Friday night so I will update the blog with any details after the morning skate. (Varlamov will not be in net tonight, Pickard starts again)
- John Mitchell and Patrick Bordeleau both could return tonight as well for the Avs. Again, after the morning skate, the lines will be updated with any more information. (Mitchell and Bordeleau are both back in the line up tonight)
- If the Avs could get help from anyone right now, it is probably Nathan Mackinnon. He currently has one assist in his last seven games and he was also on the ice during the Penguins game winning goal on Thursday.