Dater Column: It's Early, But This Might Become One Of The Best Teams Ever

I see no weaknesses

Let’s start with some of the numbers through four games.

Wins 4, losses zero. Shots for 158 (39.5 average), shots against 113 (28.3). Goals for in third periods: six, goals against in third periods: zero. Goals for overall: 14. Goals against: four. Penalty-killing percentage: 100.

It’s October, it’s early. Seventy-eight regular-season games remain. The Colorado Avalanche will not go undefeated this season. But could this turn out to be one of the best teams in NHL history? I’ve covered some great teams through the years, and my answer to that question is:

Yes.

Right now, I see no weaknesses on the Avs. Could the faceoff percentage be better than its current 46.4? Yeah. Could their shooting percentage (14 goals on 159 shots) be a bit better? Yeah. But we’re really nitpicking here.

What I see is this: A team that rolls four lines, four unique lines that can throw teams off with each of their own particular style. I see a top-four on defense that, without question, is the best top-four in the NHL.

And I see a goaltender who looks a lot like he might win a trophy with the name “Vezina” on it.

I see a coach, Jared Bednar, who knows he has a damn good team already.

“Everyone kind of understands the high expectations,” Bednar said after the game. “We’re getting there. Goaltending has been phenomenal, penalty killing’s been phenomenal. Getting contributions from someone new every night.”

Here’s the thing I like most about this year’s Avs: