With the 2011-12 season rapidly approaching, the gang at PHT decided to take a look at all 30 NHL teams’ schedules. Each team’s highs and lows will be studied in detail to give you an idea of what the future might hold for each squad.
Note: Mileage figures via On the Forecheck’s “Super Schedule.”
Colorado Avalanche schedule analysis
Total mileage: 48,945 (eighth most miles in NHL and 3rd most in the Northwest Division)
Back-to-back games: 10
Toughest stretches
People around the Avalanche probably won’t be saying Happy 2012 come January. The team doesn’t play consecutive games at home for the entire month which means the team will basically be living out of a suitcase. They play an eight game stretch between December 31 and January 16 when they play in eight different cities. As if that wasn’t difficult enough, all but one of the games will be against Western Conference opponents. Needless to say, they’ll need to figure out a way to keep their head above water throughout the month.
Take January and combine it with an Eastern Conference road trip at the beginning of the season and it will be important for the Avalanche to maintain a bit of consistency.
Easiest periods
There’s no question the Avalanche will need to take advantage of their eight-game homestand between November 18 and December 4. Unfortunately for the Avs, they’ll need to deal with the Sharks and Canucks at the beginning of the homestand and the Red Wings to close the home dates. Depending on how individual teams perform, Colorado could have a relatively easy stretch at the end of October/beginning of November with games against the Flames, Oilers, Kings, Coyotes, and Stars. They’ll need to beat the other fringe playoff teams in the Western Conference if they want to sneak into one of the last playoff spots.
Overall outlook
Unfortunately for the young Avalanche team, they’re season could be over almost as quickly as it gets started. After the opening night game at home against the Red Wings, they’ll have a tough five-game Eastern Conference road trip. When they return, they’ll be greeted by a home-and-home with the Chicago Blackhawks. The season could be a nightmare before Halloween. Like just about every other team in the Northwest Division, they’ll spend plenty of time flying from city to city. If they want to compete for a playoff spot, they’ll have to beat up on the likes of the Oilers, Flames, and Wild during their six interdivisional games. Otherwise, they’ll be counting the miles from Pepsi Center to the 2012 Entry Draft in Pittsburgh.