The Colorado Avalanche looked all but done at the start of the month.
Six wins later and there’s still plenty of ground to be made up; they’ve only turned a seven-point playoff deficit into a five-point deficit.
But it’s progress all the same.
“We’re in [the playoff race] right now,” star forward Matt Duchene told NHL.com ahead of tonight’s home game versus the Islanders. “We’re not too far out and that gives us more motivation to keep climbing.”
The Avs are back in Denver after sweeping a tough three-game road trip through Nashville, St. Louis and Chicago. All three wins came in regulation -- that’s important, considering one of those three Central Division foes may be the one the Avs have to pass in order to get into the postseason.
The Avs will also host the Oilers, Leafs and Coyotes on their four-game home stand. Considering the opposition, anything less than three wins would likely be considered a disappointment.
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