The Colorado Avalanche are kicking off another back-to-back road trip tonight, rolling into Philadelphia to face a Flyers squad that’s seriously struggling early in the season with a measly 1-6-3 record. Our Avs, sitting at a solid 5-2-1, have some serious momentum after a weekend off, and they’re looking to keep climbing.
Momentum, Milestones, and McLean’s Mission
Talk about a hot start! The Avs just snagged three out of four possible points in a home-and-home split against Dallas. And get this: they rallied with *five unanswered goals* to absolutely shut down the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. Mackenzie Blackwood was clutch, grabbing wins against both Dallas and Pittsburgh. Scott Wedgewood couldn’t quite seal the deal in a shootout against Dallas, but still, the team’s looking sharp.
Friday wasn’t just about the comeback, though. It marked the debut of Brett McLean as the new Avalanche assistant head coach, stepping in for David Hakstol. McLean’s got his work cut out for him, specifically revamping a power play that’s been “woefully anemic” for a couple of years now. We’re talking big changes here, more than just swapping out guys like Nečas for Jaden Schwartz on the top unit. The team clearly wants to shake things up, and with McLean back with his old club, you gotta expect some serious adjustments are on the horizon.
Injuries, Call-ups, and the Race for the Top
While the Avs are riding high, they’re not without their bumps and bruises. Gavin Brindley got the call-up from Loveland on Wednesday to fill in for Zachary L’Heureux, who’s out injured. Bednar’s got L’Heureux and Nicolas Roy listed as “week-to-week,” and neither of them are making this road trip. Logan O’Connor’s also staying back in Denver, though he’s already working through on-ice drills, which is good to hear for the future.
But let’s talk about the real star power: Nathan MacKinnon is absolutely tearing it up, leading *all* skaters with 16 points and 10 assists! He’s also tied with Artturi Lehkonen for the team lead in goals, with 6 each. That kind of production is insane this early.
Minnesota might be sitting pretty in first place in the Central Division after beating Columbus on Sunday, but a win tonight in Philly? And if Pittsburgh can take down Utah? The Avs could leapfrog Minnesota and snag that top spot. Talk about high stakes for an early season game, right? It’s all on the line to keep this incredible start going.
So, can the Avs continue their roll, grab those two points in Philly, and potentially jump to first place in the Central? They’ll be bringing a strong lineup with guys like Lehkonen, MacKinnon, and Nečas leading the charge, and you know they’re hungry. Plus, Noah Juulsen, who spent last season with Philly before signing with the Avs this offseason, will be looking to make a statement against his old team. The Avs split the series against Philly last year, with both teams winning on the road, so let’s hope our guys can keep that trend alive tonight. Get ready for some action!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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