Avalanche Journal: The power play isn’t the only unexpected leak in Colorado’s boat.

The Colorado Avalanche, one of the most dominant teams in the NHL in recent years, have built a reputation as a fast, skilled, and well-balanced team. From their potent offensive weapons to their elite defensemen, led by Cale Makar, and their solid goaltending, the Avalanche have been among the favorites in recent seasons to contend for the Stanley Cup. However, as the team marches through the 2024-2025 season, it is becoming increasingly clear that there are chinks in their armor that need attention if they are to achieve the success they expect.

While the Avalanche’s power play has been an area of concern, it is far from the only unexpected weakness. Colorado has seen some surprising struggles this season that, if left unaddressed, could prevent them from reaching their full potential. In this piece, we will explore the multiple issues plaguing the Avalanche beyond their power play inefficiencies, such as depth scoring, defensive lapses, and goaltending inconsistency. While the team remains a formidable contender, these areas of concern are critical and must be resolved if they hope to reclaim their Stanley Cup glory.

Power Play Troubles: A Tale of Underachievement

Let’s begin with the most obvious concern: the power play. Traditionally, the Avalanche have been an offensive juggernaut with one of the most lethal power plays in the league. With players like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, who can all contribute to scoring in a variety of ways, the team’s man-advantage should be a formidable force. Yet this season, it has been nothing short of underwhelming.

Through the first stretch of the 2024-2025 campaign, the Avalanche’s power play has struggled to find its rhythm. For a team with so much talent, the inability to consistently convert on the power play is a glaring issue. While some of the blame can be placed on the opposing teams’ penalty kills or the individual players’ performance, there seems to be a fundamental disconnect in the execution of the power play itself.

The Avalanche’s reliance on a very structured, pass-heavy power play system may be contributing to this. Rather than taking a more direct approach or utilizing their players’ ability to create space with speed, the Avalanche often overcomplicate their power-play schemes, which leads to a lack of quick decision-making and frustration. It has resulted in long stretches without power-play goals, which has been damaging, especially in tight games where one goal could be the difference.

What can be done to fix this? The first step is likely a change in mentality. The power play needs to focus on moving the puck quicker and getting shots on net, even if they are not the perfect shot. Makar should be unleashed to be more aggressive, especially from the blue line, and MacKinnon’s playmaking should drive the action. But above all, the Avalanche need to simplify their strategy, use their speed, and get bodies in front of the goalie to create more traffic and second-chance opportunities.

While the power play remains a major area of concern, it is not the only unexpected leak in Colorado’s boat this season.

Depth Scoring Woes: The Avalanche Can’t Rely Only on the Stars

The second major issue that has been plaguing the Avalanche this season is depth scoring. While Colorado boasts one of the most potent top lines in hockey, with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog (when healthy), the team’s secondary scoring has been inconsistent at best. The problem with relying too heavily on top-tier players is that it creates a situation where the team becomes one-dimensional. When the top line isn’t clicking, the Avalanche often struggle to generate offense.

Valeri Nichushkin, Alex Newhook, and Artturi Lehkonen are all capable of contributing offensively, but at times this season, they’ve gone cold, leaving the Avalanche with a reliance on their top line to carry the team. This imbalance makes the team vulnerable, especially when facing top teams that can neutralize MacKinnon or Rantanen for stretches of a game.

Moreover, J.T. Compher and Evan Rodrigues, while capable role players, need to step up and contribute more on offense. If the Avalanche are going to continue to be contenders, they cannot afford to have prolonged stretches where their bottom-six forwards are not producing. Depth scoring is essential to surviving the grind of the regular season and, more importantly, the playoffs.

The addition of a consistent secondary scoring threat could alleviate the pressure on the top players and help balance the lineup. Whether through internal development or a potential trade, finding more offensive contributors beyond the first line will be key to ensuring that the Avalanche remain one of the league’s top teams.

Defensive Inconsistencies: A Not-So-Impenetrable Blue Line

The Avalanche are known for their speed and offensive capabilities, but their defense has often been a key component of their success as well. Players like Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Josh Manson have been staples on the blue line, contributing both offensively and defensively. However, there have been increasing signs of inconsistency in Colorado’s defensive play this season.

Although the defense has the ability to move the puck out of their zone with speed and transition quickly to offense, there have been lapses in coverage, poor decisions in the defensive zone, and struggles with puck management that have allowed opponents to capitalize. Whether it’s a breakdown in coverage leading to an odd-man rush or a lack of physicality in front of the net, Colorado’s defense has shown vulnerabilities that could be exploited by more physical and disciplined teams.

What can the Avalanche do to improve defensively? The team needs to return to fundamentals, focusing on maintaining better gaps and clearing the crease. Makar and Toews should remain involved in the offensive play, but they cannot overextend, which opens the door for counterattacks. Kurtis MacDermid and Jack Johnson, when they’ve been in the lineup, have to step up their physical play and be more consistent in their defensive assignments.

The Avalanche’s defense, though still solid, must tighten up to allow fewer high-danger scoring chances. The blue line needs to find more balance between joining the attack and making sure their own zone remains secure.

Goaltending: A Question of Consistency

Another area that is critical to Colorado’s success but has raised some concerns is goaltending. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was instrumental in the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory, departed the team in the offseason, and the Avalanche replaced him with Alexander Georgiev. Georgiev has shown moments of brilliance but has also been inconsistent in certain stretches of the season, which raises questions about his ability to carry the load for an entire season and into the playoffs.

While Georgiev has posted respectable numbers, he has occasionally allowed weak goals or struggled to find consistency in key games. For a team with championship aspirations, having a goaltender who can be relied upon night in and night out is crucial. Georgiev needs to prove that he can handle the pressure of being the team’s undisputed starter and perform at a high level when the stakes are the highest.

At the same time, backup Pavel Francouz has been solid when called upon but hasn’t shown the ability to be an elite-level backup who can step in during stretches of heavy games or injuries without a noticeable drop in performance. A true, reliable tandem of goaltenders would provide the Avalanche with the depth they need between the pipes.

Finding Solutions: Addressing the Leaks

It’s clear that while the Colorado Avalanche are a talented and formidable team, there are several issues that need to be addressed if they are to maintain their position as Stanley Cup contenders. Improving their power play, generating more depth scoring, tightening up their defense, and finding consistency in goal will be paramount for this team.

Luckily, the Avalanche have the pieces in place to address these issues. With a talented coaching staff led by Jared Bednar, the team has shown the ability to adapt and overcome adversity in the past. Whether it’s making minor adjustments to the power play, developing young players like Alex Newhook or Bowen Byram, or looking for outside help at the trade deadline, the Avalanche will have opportunities to strengthen their lineup.

As the 2024-2025 season continues to unfold, Colorado will need to find a way to plug these leaks. The team’s offensive potency, defensive prowess, and solid goaltending will remain their foundation, but solving the current issues will be necessary for them to continue to assert dominance in the Western Conference and beyond. With the right adjustments, the Avalanche could emerge as one of the most complete teams in the league once again, putting them in the best position to chase another Stanley Cup.