After almost a week off, it took the Colorado Avalanche a little while to get their legs under themselves during Friday night’s contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Even after they did, they couldn’t find a way to get one past goaltender Michael Hutchinson, falling by the score of 1-0.
“I didn’t love our start,” said Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. “The first couple minutes we were on our heels and we didn’t have a great first period. As we started to find our game, second and third period, I liked what we did, but we have to capitalize.”
Despite getting a total of 37 shots and dictating play for the final two frames, Hutchinson stood strong, with the Avalanche failing to find paydirt when they had their chances.
“We played well,” Avalanche center Matt Duchene told Mile High Sports. “There were a few pucks in front that we were very close to jamming in. It’s going to happen sometimes; you’re going to run into a hot goalie.”
Center Nathan Mackinnon agreed with Duchene, telling Mile High Sports, “I mean, we had 40 shots on him. He had a really good game.”
Still, despite their strong effort, the Avalanche didn’t get the two points. They know they have to capitalize.
“As a team we’ve got to find a way to win, and we didn’t do that,” said captain Gabriel Landeskog.
They also know there is room for improvement.
“I still think, even with all of those shots, we can create more,” said Matt Duchene.
They will get their chance Saturday night, when they head to the desert to take on the Arizona Coyotes.
“They’re a young, fast team,” MacKinnon said of the Coyotes. “Obviously, the road is always tougher than home. We need to come out with a good start, and we’ll be okay.“
Though it is still early in the season, the Avalanche know that every point still matters, and they need to find a way to win games.
“We’ve got to get some rest, and just get ready to compete,” said Duchene. “We don’t want to sink below .500, that’s for sure.”