FORT LAUDERDALE, Floride – There is no doubt in the mind of Nathan MacKinnon presently.
The Colorado Avalanche may not have had the best first half of the season, but the defending Stanley Cup champions have won seven of their eight games heading into the All-Star Game break, and MacKinnon is confident his team can still aspire to top honours.
“I think we can win again,” said the striker. I’m confident, and that’s the goal. »
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The Avalanche (27-18-3) are the second-fourth ace in the Western Conference and begin a three-game journey, starting with a stop in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins there on Tuesday (7 p.m. HE; TVAS, ATTSN-PT, ALT, ESPN+, SN NOW). The defender Cale Makar believes that his team will be able to perform in the second half of the calendar thanks to the experience acquired in their journey to the title in 2021-22.
“We knew the majority of the team was going to be back and that we are capable of repeating the feat,” said Makar. You just have to put all the pieces together. For us, it’s not about focusing on the fact that we can do it, it’s more about getting back to the level that we are able to reach and playing with consistency. »
Colorado outscored opponents 33-15 overall in its last eight games and went 17-for-19 shorthanded. the attacker Mikko Rantanen has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in its last 10 games and leads the Avalanche with 61 points (34 goals, 27 assists).
“There are a lot of good teams and several teams that are hungry for victories, we know it will not be easy, submitted Rantanen. There aren’t many teams that manage to win two years in a row. It will probably be even more difficult than last year, but we are ready and we still have a very good formation.
“We’ve won seven of our last eight games, so we’re going in the right direction. Now the guys are well rested. We hope we can count on a few players who were injured after the break, but I like the direction we are going. »
Video: ANA@COL: Rantanen doubles the lead with his 2nd goal
Even though players don’t like to use injuries as excuses, you have to admit that the Avalanche were not spared. Captain Gabriel Landeskog has yet to play this season due to a knee injury that required surgery on October 18. The defender Josh Manson (lower body) has been out since Dec. 1, and the defender’s last game Bowen Byram dates back to November 4. the attacker Darren Helm has been on the sidelines since January 12 after missing the first 35 games of the season with a hip injury. the attacker Valery Nichushkin (upper body) hasn’t seen action since Jan. 24.
Pretty easy to figure out what would help Colorado down the stretch.
“Just health,” MacKinnon said. I use it as an excuse, but when guys get hurt, it’s like they’ve been traded for nothing. So let’s say it wouldn’t hurt to see them with us again. »
Manson and Byram should be back after the break. Landeskog must start skating again under supervision. Helm’s status is a bit of a blur, but there’s more positive than negative news to come.
The Avalanche are not exactly where they would like to be, but they intend to do everything to triumph again.
“There were ups and downs in the first half of the season, but that’s it,” Makar said. Unfortunately, we had to deal with several injuries, but we are only focused on consistency. We entered the break with the right frame of mind. Hopefully this break can help us. »
With NHL.com Managing Editor Bill Price and Freelance Correspondent Ryan Boulding
