The Colorado Avalanche haven’t skated in front of the fans at Pepsi Center in a meaningful 2017-18 game yet.
But it’s already apparent this team is much improved from the one that took the ice a season ago.
It’s not the boldest prediction in the world, but the Avs will be significantly better this year. Like, leaps and bounds better.
The evidence is there after just three games.
Colorado started this campaign with a brutal East Coast swing and came out in great shape, securing four points in three games in New York, New Jersey and Boston, respectively.
Now, the fun – and pressure – really begins. And it starts tonight.
The Avalanche must be better on a lot of fronts this year, but most notably, on their home ice.
Of all the things that went wrong while the team racked up just 48 points, only 28 of those coming in Denver might have been the most jarring.
There are two points for the taking when Boston comes to town for the home opener Wednesday – what better way to start a bounce back year than by beating a good team twice in a span of three days?
While it’d be silly to anoint the Avs a playoff team after just three contests, there were plenty of encouraging signs in their time out east.
First, Semyon Varlamov looked like, well, himself. Varly was Varly – standing on his head and giving up just two goals in 120 minutes in net.
In a 4-2 win against the Rangers in Madison Square Garden, Varlamov racked up 37 saves and was downright special while protecting a third-period lead. Just a few days later, during a matinee against the Bruins, Varly posted the shutout in a 4-0 win while collecting 29 saves.
It’s no secret that when the Avalanche won their division in 2013-14 Varlamov was the main reason why. That year he won 41 games, had a GAA of just 2.41 and a save percentage of .927. He also made the All-Star Game and was a finalist for a slew of postseason awards.
There’s been a saying around here recently that “as Varly goes, the Avs go” – well right now Varly appears to be going, and it’s an encouraging sign.
On offense, the Avalanche are getting early production from their stars, and role players as well. Nine guys have multiple points in the first three games, including the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Tyson Barrie, Mikko Rantanen and Matt Duchene.
But that list also includes lesser known names like Patrik Nemeth, J.T. Compher and Sven Andrighetto. While big things are expected out of the those three, you could excuse the casual Avs fan for not having their jerseys in the collection quite yet.
Throw in a healthy Erik Johnson, a recently re-signed Nikita Zadorov, one of the best leaders in the game in Gabriel Landeskog, a rejuvenated Nail Yakupov and exciting young guns like Tyson Jost, Alexander Kerfoot and Chris Bigras, and of all the sudden you get some butterflies about this bunch you haven’t felt in a couple of years.
Finally, Jared Bednar deserves a legitimate chance to prove his value as a head coach in the NHL with a full offseason under his belt. When Patrick Roy quit in August of 2016, it put Bednar in a near impossible spot. While last season didn’t work out the way he (or anyone) wanted, Bednar already appears more comfortable in year two behind the bench.
And his team is off to a fast start in his second year, particularly while playing at even strength.
The following is not a typo: The Avalanche haven’t given up a single goal in 5-on-5 hockey this season. Considering most of the game is played at even strength, that’s a tremendous sign.
Yes, it’s still early. Yes, it’s unclear what this season ultimately has in store for Colorado. But through three games, the Avs pass many tests on a statistical front – as well as from an eye test and on the comfort front. They look like a more confident bunch.
That confidence will face a big test in the opener, as Pepsi Center should be rocking for the home opener.
But if the quick start on the road has been any indication, the Avalanche are pacing to be leaps and bounds better than they were just one season ago.