"Ramped-Up Commitment" Has Avs Back Near Top Again

Strong win over Calgary puts Avs in second in Central

In 48 hours, the Avalanche outscored their opponents 9-2 and served notice to the rest of the Western Conference, if not the whole league: the road to the Stanley Cup still goes through Denver.

The Avs played a great game in beating Calgary 4-1 tonight, and are now in second place in the Central Division, just three points behind Dallas with two games in hand.

Jared Bednar, who absolutely should be up for consideration for the Jack Adams Award, put it well after the game:

“It’s a ramped-up commitment from our team,” Bednar said. “I thought the team was fantastic this weekend. Two really solid, complete games on both sides of the puck.”

Indeed. The Avs are playing with purpose and determination again, even with some key guys still out. They’re not giving opponents much time and space with the puck, which is always the key for this team. It’s what Bednar is always preaching to his team, and everybody seems to be listening again. Ramped-up commitment.

Nathan MacKinnon was fantastic again in this one, just as he was in Winnipeg. So was Mikko Rantanen. So was Alexandar Georgiev in goal.

I think this team is going to win the West again. Nobody in the West scares me much, if this team is even close to healthy.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS