After losing seven of their last eight, the defending NHL Champs are looking to turn things around after defeating the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings by a combined score of 13-3.
During Colorado’s losing stretch, the Avs had trouble against Phoenix Coyotes, the L.A. Kings, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the Vancouver Canucks, the Florida Panthers and the Chicago Blackhawks. Colorado’s only win during that stretch came against the Edmonton Oilers in overtime on Saturday, January 7th.
Two weeks later the Avs got their next win, this past Saturday at home when they shutout the Ottawa Senators 7-0. On Monday night the Avs looked to be on their way to another shutout after leading the Detroit Red Wings 5-0 halfway through the second period. The Red Wings made a switch at goalie and only allowed one more goal, but added three late in the second and third, in their 6-3 loss to the Avs. This week the Avalanche is on the road in Canada to face the Calgary Flames on Wednesday and the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
The Avalanche have fallen down the Western Conference rankings tied at fourth with the St. Louis Blues, behind the Minnesota Wild, the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets.
The Avalanche have been without Captain Gabriel Landeskog who hasn’t been on the ice since November. Then, coach Jared Bednar believed Avs beloved captain would return 12 weeks later; however, as of mid January, there’s no sign of Landeskog’s or the progression from injury.
In other sports the Denver Nuggets have been rolling with a full healthy squad beating a pesky Orlando Magic team at home on Sunday night at Ball Arena. Nikola Jokic not only sunk the game winning three, he managed to record his 12 triple double this season with ten rebounds, 14 assists and 17 points.
Aaron Gordon led all Nuggets with 25 points followed by Jamal Murray’s 18.
This week the Nuggets will be at home to host the Indiana Pacers (Friday, January 20th at 7 p.m.), and the Oklahoma City Thunder (Sunday, January 22, at 6 p.m.) before hitting the road next week to face the New Orleans Pelicans, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Denver Broncos have already started their new coaching search interviewing Michigan University’s Jim Harbaugh who let Greg Penner and company know that he would be staying at the University next year.
The Broncos were next in line behind the Houston Texans to interview former Saints head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos flew out to L.A. to interview Payton on Tuesday and the Broncos are said to be one of two teams vying for Payton’s final say on his next destination.
