Strike 2: Can the Colorado Avalanche suddenly get physical?

That’s not the word most often associated with one of the NHL’s most explosive and high flying offensive teams. But it is a term that most coaches – including the Avs Jared Bednar – in search of a Stanley Cup would like to be able to attach to their club heading into the playoffs.

Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships, remember?

Heading into this postseason, the Avalanche defense has been shoddy, including goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. Much like his team, Georgiev has won a lot of games – his 38 W’s lead the league. But as an individual, he ranks 34th in goals against and 37th in save percentage. Since the NHL has 32 teams, this means at least two clubs have two guys who’ve out performed the Avs starter statistically.

As most close observers are quick to point out, this isn’t all on the netminder. The defense in front of him has been leaky all year too. Over the past week Bednar has bemoaned his team’s mental lapses at the blue line, and his frustration was apparent in his postgame comments after Colorado blew a 3-0 third period and lost 4-3 to Las Vegas in overtime.

“We didn’t push back hard enough,” Bednar told the media after the game. “At the end of the day, you can’t take dumb penalties in a tight game. You just can’t. That’s the difference in the hockey game for me.”

Pushing back – being physical – hasn’t been in the Avs nature most of the season, including over the past 10 games. All year long they’ve just tried to outscore the other team. They did it much of the year, but with the Central Division title, a top seeding and home ice advantage all there for the taking, they’ve fallen flat, including losing big at home to division rivals Dallas and Winnipeg.

Can they change their overall mindset and approach in time for the playoffs?

With “offensive minded” defenseman like Cale Makar on the ice, the Avs focus on scoring is obvious. With Hart Trophy (MVP) candidate Nathan MacKinnon leading the charge, it’s easy to see why. There isn’t a better scoring team in the league.

However…

Defense wins championships, right?

As the playoffs begin – with the Avs sure to be a decided underdog in their first round series against the Jets, who just crushed Colorado 7-0 at Ball Arena over the weekend – Colorado must take on a different approach. They have to become more defensive minded. They must get much more physical, or it’s likely to be one-and-done for the second straight season. Turning an offensive-minded team into a defense-first outfit will be a big challenge for Bednar and his staff, especially this late into the season. But they don’t have much of a choice.

There’s another take on another old saying that comes into play here: If it’s broke, then fix it.