HEADLINES

Avalanche must address their odd aversion to the third period

Jan 14, 2020, 7:17 AM | Updated: 11:16 am

The Colorado Avalanche seem to have an aversion to the third period, just maybe not in the way fans and onlookers have been griping about of late.

In what can be only technically described as a home game last Friday at Pepsi Center, the Avs surrendered a 2-1 third-period lead to the Pittsburgh Penguins and only managed to salvage a point by scoring with 31 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime — where Colorado would lose 4-3.

The good news is that through 24 games leading after the second period, Friday’s loss to the Penguins was the Avalanche’s only one this season.

The bad news, of the eight overtime games the Avs have played this season, four times have they entered the third period with a lead and three times they did so tied.

Breaking it down even further, when the third-period scoring’s good for Colorado, it’s really good, as they’ve netted an NHL-best 111 goals while leading after two periods. But the Avalanche have also given up the most goals against in the league while heading into the final period with a lead: 57.

Perhaps the most damning statistic, however, is while Colorado has given up only 48 goals while trailing after the second period — tied for the best in the NHL — they’ve only scored 21 times under the same circumstances — worst in the league.

What’s more, Colorado remains the only team in the NHL yet to mount a comeback victory while trailing after two periods, going 0-10-1, and has won just 50 percent of its games while entering the third period tied (5-4-1).

So, as we sit at just more than the halfway point of the NHL season, the problem doesn’t necessarily lie in that the Avs have blown four third-period leads but when they need a rally — or simply to break a tie — late in games, they’ve fallen flat. And that’s a recipe for an early-round exit from the postseason, should they reach it.

Headlines

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 28: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies makes a catch for an out again...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies get destroyed in embarrassing fashion on Opening Day

Baseball is a long season but this year in Denver it's going to be extra long as evidenced by the Colorado Rockies stinker on Opening Day

2 hours ago

DU hockey...

Will Petersen

DU hockey moving on in NCAA Tournament after dramatic 2OT win

DU hockey forward Tristan Broz played hero, finding the back of the net on a slick wrist-shot with 7:33 to go in the second overtime session

6 hours ago

Drake Maye Broncos QB...

Andrew Mason

Broncos have George Paton, QB coach at Drake Maye Pro Day

QB prospect Drake Maye had his Pro Day workout on March 28, and Broncos GM George Paton was among those on hand.

10 hours ago

Bud Black...

Will Petersen

Bud Black says Rockies players aware no one gives them a chance

"They don't say much publicly, but internally the guys are not liking what they're hearing," Bud Black said on 104.3 The Fan on Thursday

11 hours ago

Elehuris Montero high fives Colorado Rockies teammate Brendan Rodgers...

Jake Shapiro and Andrew Mason

Rockies reveal Opening Day roster for 2024 season

The Colorado Rockies are ready for 2024 Opening Day, revealing their roster ahead of Thursday's season opener in Phoenix.

12 hours ago

Joe Sakic Stanley Cup documentary...

Will Petersen

The trailer for the new Joe Sakic documentary looks fascinating

The documentary "Saving Sakic" is about how the Avs found the cash to keep Joe after the Rangers signed him to a huge offer sheet

13 hours ago

Avalanche must address their odd aversion to the third period