The Colorado Avalanche are in desperate need of a breather, and it’s easy to see why. January has been a relentless gauntlet for the team, with a grueling schedule that’s tested their depth and resilience. After kicking off the month with a six-games-in-10-nights stretch, the Avs have been battling injuries to key players like starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Joel Kiviranta, defenseman Devon Toews, and captain Gabe Landeskog. To make matters worse, they’ve had to rely on their third-string goalie, Trent Miner, who held his own against the red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs but couldn’t stop their star shooters entirely.
Despite the odds, the Avalanche have shown incredible fight, clawing back in third periods and forcing overtime to secure a respectable 3-2-1 record. But here’s where it gets interesting: their success has come at a cost, and the team is more than ready for a much-needed break. With an optional practice, a full day off, and a weekend without games, the Avs finally have time to rest, recover, and regroup—a luxury they haven’t had in weeks.
And this is the part most people miss: this downtime isn’t just about physical recovery; it’s about mental preparation for the storm ahead. As star defenseman Cale Makar pointed out, the schedule will only get busier before the Olympic break, and the post-break gauntlet will be unforgiving. Makar’s 27-plus minutes of ice time in 11 of 45 games this season is a testament to the team’s reliance on their core players, making this break even more critical.
Meanwhile, the Avalanche made a few roster moves, sending Ivan Ivan and Zakhar Bardakov to the AHL. While Ivan’s assignment is part of the usual rotation to fill in for injured forwards, Bardakov’s demotion is a first. The 25-year-old rookie, who’s spent the entire season with the Avs, will get some much-needed playing time in the AHL after logging just 4:34 against the Leafs. Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed Bardakov will likely return for Friday’s game against the Nashville Predators, but this move raises questions: Is this a temporary reset for Bardakov, or a sign of deeper lineup adjustments to come?
Speaking of adjustments, the Avalanche’s power play has been a hot topic—and not in a good way. Their struggles on the man advantage are becoming hard to ignore, especially after going 1-for-3 against the Maple Leafs, who boast the NHL’s best penalty kill since December 1. The lone power-play goal, scored by Brock Nelson just five seconds in, was a quick strike off a faceoff win—a far cry from the methodical, zone-entry setups the Avs have been trying to master.
But here’s the controversial part: is the Avalanche’s power play strategy fundamentally flawed, or are they just missing the execution? Bednar insists they’re making necessary changes and keeping the team focused, but with Nelson scoring eight of the team’s last 15 power-play goals, it’s clear they’re relying heavily on individual talent rather than cohesive unit play. A big meeting last week aimed to get everyone on the same page, but the results are still a work in progress.
As the Avalanche gear up for the second half of the season, one thing is certain: they’ll need more than just rest to turn things around. Their power play woes, injury challenges, and reliance on key players like Makar and Nelson will be tested in the weeks ahead. But with a few days to recharge, the Avs have a chance to reset—both physically and mentally.
What do you think? Are the Avalanche’s struggles a temporary setback, or a sign of deeper issues? And how much of their power play problems boil down to strategy versus execution? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
