The Colorado Avalanche (Avs) have won three of their last three games, making up some significant ground in the Central Division, pulling to within four points of the second place Winnipeg Jets.
Last Wednesday the Avs were in Minnesota to face the division foes, the Wild in a game that the Avs maintained control of for all three periods. On Saturday, the Avs were in St. Louis to face the Blues where the Avs dominated through three.
The most prolific win in Colorado’s three game streak came at home on Sunday afternoon at Ball Arena against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are ahead of Colorado in points so Sunday’s game was a chance for Colorado to gain ground in the Western Conference.
The Avs short win streak was in peril after the Oilers scored three unanswered goals in the first two periods. Colorado managed to get on the board midway through the second but not before Edmonton scored yet another goal
to maintain a two-goal-lead heading into the third period. In the third the Avs changed gears and managed to tie up the game with three goals to Edmonton’s one. In overtime with less than half a minute to play, Colorado’s forward Mikko Rantanen shot the game winner to top off the comeback win at home.
While Colorado has been struggling with injuries, things appear to be heading in the right direction for the Avs with Cale Makar one game away from returning after concussion protocol. The long awaited wait for team Captain Gabriel Landeskog appears to be on track for a return to ice in the near future as it’s been reported that he’s made his way back to the ice and spotted skating around on Monday.
Landeskog has been out with a knee injury for a good part of the season. His return will no doubt have a huge impact on the direction this teams heads as the post sea-son quickly approaches.
In other sports the Denver Nuggets enjoyed some time off for the All-Star break after defeating the Dallas Mavericks last Wednesday 118-109. The Nuggets are in Cleveland this Thursday to face the Cavilers (Cavs). Denver beat the Cavs back on January 6th at home.
The Nuggets stand alone atop of the Western Conference five-games ahead of the number two Memphis Grizzlies. The Nuggets are enjoying a three-game win streak in hopes of making it four on Thursday night.
The Denver Broncos have yet to hire a defensive coordinator and currently it’s a tossup between former head coach Rex Ryan and former head coach Vance Joseph with Ryan having a slight edge.
Since the hiring of Sean Payton, the Broncos have hired Ben Kotwica (Special teams coordinator), Dan Dalrymple (Strength and conditioning coach), Logan Kilgore (Quality control/passing game coordinator), Mike Westhoff (Assistant head coach/special teams), Zac Strief (Offensive line coach), and Declan Doyle (Tight ends coach).
