3 Takeaways from the Avalanche’s 4-3 Loss to the Devils

The Colorado Avalanche feel like they are in a funk. Following a loss to the lowly Philadelphia Flyers, the Avalanche sat at a very un-Avalanche-like 5-3-1 going into Tuesday night’s tilt with the New Jersey Devils.

The Avalanche have had their share of surprises but dropping their second in a row to a team outside the playoff picture might be the biggest. The Devils dominated the matchup and sent the Avalanche home with a 4-3 loss. Here are the takeaways.

Not Good Enough to Overcome Two Sloppy Periods

Just watching the Avalanche the past few games will tell you that they are playing uninspired hockey. They were clearly up for a pair of games against the Dallas Stars, against whom they took three of a possible four points.

In these last two games against the Flyers and Devils, however, they look like they are going through the motions. They were badly outshot through two periods, 32-13, before coming alive with 21 shots – and two Artturi Lehkonen goals – in the third.

We’re still only 10 games into the season and this will no doubt be a team that is among the best in their division. That said, it feels like they are coasting through the first month of the season and playing to their level of competition.

Too Much Perimeter Offense

When the Avalanche are at the peak of their powers, they push the pace with transition offense that keeps opposing defenses on their heels. They get on top of other teams, hem them in, and pound them with a combination of excellent cycle work and top-notch talent.

Until the third period against the Devils, the offense seemed content to operate on the fringes. No one was really pushing the pace or challenging Devils defenders. It wasn’t until the third period that they really started to use their speed and show some urgency.

Aside from a magnificent assist by Cale Makar, the Avalanche looked as pedestrian with the puck as it gets. It’s nice that they are stepping up against stronger competition but they have to find a way to bring their A-game against teams they may not take as seriously.

Defensive Lapses Killed Them

Goaltending wasn’t bad here and it hasn’t been the primary issue this season. Scott Wedgewood is a premier backup and can be a very good starter when needed, and he was solid here as he turned aside 37 of the 40 shots he faced.

In the end, defensive lapses did them in. The first and third goals were clear breakdowns, and Wedgewood couldn’t bail them out. Breakdowns are going to happen from time to time but we have seen far too many out of the Avalanche so far.

With a litany of strong two-way players in this group, the Avalanche can’t be giving the puck away like they have been of late (21 giveaways in this one). Good teams are good teams in part because they limit mistakes and the Avalanche have had more than their share of late.

A Big Showdown Looming

The Avalanche are staring down a big home showdown with the 7-2-0 Tampa Bay Lightning. The Eastern Conference is as stacked as it gets right now, and the Lightning have established themselves as one of the best in the conference early on.

The Avalanche will get blown off the ice if they put this kind of performance in. Everyone, from the superstars to the fourth line, has to turn in a better effort than what they have shown against the Flyers and Devils. Besides, a third consecutive loss can play with one’s confidence and that’s another issue the Avalanche don’t need.