The Colorado Avalanche have dominated the NHL standings through 26 games despite limited practice and a challenging schedule.
Every Avalanche player has their own routine on practice and game days. For some, it works best to hit the ice, while others work on off-ice activities.
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“I feel like everybody’s different. Some guys like to go out there. Me, personally, I just like to go out there and feel the puck, especially days of the game,” Ross Colton said. “Just go out in the morning, feel good, get a little sweat, earn my lunch. Some days towards the end of the season, maybe I’ll take the option. But for right now, it’s not really anything taxing going on. Just really like to go out there and feel it.”
With an average age of 29 years, head coach Jared Bednar has provided his players with options that have helped create a better balance.
“Everyone is different. You’ve got Cale (Makar), who’s playing 30 minutes a night every night — I’m playing eight to 12. So for me, I like to go on the ice just to keep my touches, keep touching the puck,” Parker Kelly said. “Obviously, things will come up when you’re banged up; it’s going to make sense … there’s going to be times when rest is beneficial. As you get older, for sure, when I was younger, I’d be out there every day … as you get older, you listen to your body, that’s the way you have to go about it.”
Balance is important in a long 82-game season. Knowing what works best for each Avalanche player is imperative to keep them from burning out or overexerting their bodies.
“I usually take a full day off and just recover, both mentally and physically. These morning skates, I like to be out there and feel the puck a little bit. Just get the body moving. It’s a routine I’ve had now here, and it feels pretty good,” Victor Olofsson said.
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The condensed schedule due to the Olympics has posed a challenge. However, the Avs continue to win games through resilience, sheer dominance, or both. The practice schedule has proven to work to their advantage.
“There’s lots of guys that don’t play a lot of minutes that like to get touches and like to feel the puck and like to work on things on the ice, because they’re not on the ice for 20 to 25 minutes a night,” Bednar said. “And then lots of guys that are on the ice want to give those muscles a break and do different things in the gym, strengthening, conditioning, whatever it is, some of it’s recovery work. But they all have their own individual plan with our strength guys; they’re on top of it.”
Whether players hit the ice on optional practice days is no reflection of their commitment or dedication. A lot of work is done off-ice in the video room. The objective is to work together as a unit.
“If we’re not hitting the ice as a team a lot, then the learning has to be done on video, and we got to apply it into the game,” Bednar said. “You don’t get the reps at it, but you certainly can know what you’re doing out there, and you can all be on the same page.”
The Avs continue to amaze the hockey world with their superstar talent, depth, and exceptional goaltending. Hard work and dedication have led to success without needing to spend countless hours on the ice. Focus and efficiency have produced results for this team. Just look at the standings.
