Three games into the Patrick Roy era in Colorado and the Avalanche are 3-0-0 for the first time in team history since the team moved from Quebec with their 2-1 victory over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
With the perfect 2-0 start at home with wins over Anaheim and Nashville, the Avalanche were set to begin a three-game stretch on the road against Toronto, Boston, and Washington. Three games in which the Avs could get a good benchmark test to see where the team stands after beginning a new era in Avalanche hockey.
So far, so good. Cory Sarich and P.A. Parenteau scored for the Avs to seal and deliver the best start in team history since the team moved in 1995-96 and became the Colorado Avalanche. A game in Toronto marked a contest with two undefeated teams in this young NHL season, and the Avs will remain that way at 3-0-0 while the Leafs drop to 3-1-0.
Notably for the Avs, first overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft Nathan MacKinnon keeps up his torrid pace as the rookie. MacKinnon added another assist on Tuesday night, his fourth assist on the season, and he’s now gotten at least one point in each of the Avs’ first three games this season. The speed he brings to what was already the fastest team in the NHL is showing early. He’s beating opposing defenseman to the puck with ease, and is catching on to the pros’ game faster than anyone could have imagined.
MacKinnon is tied with P.A. Parenteau and Jamie McGinn, his linemates, with four points to lead the Avs. This line has been crazy good for the Avalanche. Together, they have 12 points. To put that in perspective, the rest of the forwards are COMBINED for 14 points. To have such a dominant line early on in the season could give other Avalanche players a chance to break out for even more scoring when the opposition will try to shut down McGinn, MacKinnon, and Parenteau.
Speaking of shut-down, the Avalanche penalty kill is stellar thus far in the young season. The Avs are 7-for-7 thus far this year, shutting down Toronto on both of their opportunities this year. “The six d’s are playing well,” Head Coach Patrick Roy said post-game. “They’re really helping Varly out.” The Avalanche power play has some work to do, but it’s something that can take time to work on with so many new faces in town.
One face that saw much criticism last season but is shutting it down early thus far, is Semyon Varlamov. Posting his third one-goal effort on Tuesday against Toronto is rapidly quieting the doubters. “Varly” has stopped 88 of 91 shots so far this year, a 96.7 save percentage. He’s just looked plain good in goal for the burgundy and blue, and it’s good to see that continue tonight in Toronto as Varly struggled mightily on the road last season, going 1-14-2 with a 3.67 goals against average and a 88.7 save percentage. Numbers that must improve if the Avs want to make the playoffs this season.
All signs are pointing up for the Avalanche thus far in this 2013-14 season. The Avs are scoring, having that much needed smart defensive play that just wasn’t there last season, and getting solid goaltending from Semyon Varlamov. 3-0-0 on the year, and the new Patrick Roy era continues successfully for the Avs.
Anthony Rodriguez
Anthony is the Founder, Administrator, Editor and Publisher of Lightning Rod Sports. Originally from California, Anthony has been raised in the Rocky Mountains and Denver area for most of his life. Anthony works with the Emmy-winning student-run T.V. newscast at MSU Denver, The Met Report, as the Assistant General Manager, formerly the Sports Producer, as well as Lead Anchor and Production Assistant. He is currently the Play-by-Play Announcer, Color Commentator, and Production Assistant for the Metro State Broadcast Network, and calls games for Metro State soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball as a “Voice of the Roadrunners.” In addition to that work with the Metro State Broadcast Network, Anthony also hosts the monthly 30-minute magazine show called "The Roadrunner Review" which airs on Altitude Sports and Entertainment. He hosts the bi-weekly "KMet Sports Show" on KMET Radio at MyMetMedia.com/KMETSportsShow. He is also the Founder, Administrator, Editor, and Columnist for his own Denver Sports website, LightningRodSports.com. Anthony is also part of the Social Media team at Examiner.com, and has worked with the Altitude Radio Network for the Avalanche and Nuggets. Anthony is a former Producer for Mile High Sports Radio, as well as a former Sports-Talk show host on the LightningRod Radio Network.
