They’re only two games in, but the Colorado Avalanche have already generated enough drama for an entire season. And despite the fact that the Avs blew their first game of the year against the Wild, as a fan, you have to be pretty excited about Colorado’s offensive performance thus far.
Though the Avs continue to trail their opponents in shots on goal, Colorado is still averaging 31.5 shots a game (good for 11th in the league) and are No. 1 in the NHL with an average of five goals per contest.
Even more impressive, Gabriel Landeskog, Nate MacKinnon and Francois Beauchemin are all part of a six-way tie for the second most points (5) in the NHL, only trailing Patrick Kane’s six (Kane has played an extra game, too).
And yet, when the NHL announced their “Three Stars” of the week, there wasn’t an Avalanche player in sight.
Not to worry, though; we’ve got them covered. Here are the Avs’ “Three Stars” from the first week of the NHL season:
Third Star: Francois Beauchemin
Francois Beauchemin had 3 assists, 4 blocked shots & 2 hits in 20+ min. last night.
MORE: http://t.co/ieiel6MMVJ pic.twitter.com/nMdVaLbipI
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 9, 2015
The Colorado Avalanche invested a lot in Francois Beauchemin this offseason, hoping his veteran presence would be a major factor in improving the Avs’ blue line, but through two games, it’s been his offensive impact that’s really stood out.
Not only does Beauchemin lead all defenseman with five assists, he leads the entire league.
At 35, Beauchemin is inching towards the end of his career, but the rugged defenseman still has plenty left in the tank, and the Avalanche are going to need everything he has if they’re to make it back into the playoffs.
Second Star: Nate MacKinnon
Great goal for Nate!!! #Avs http://t.co/NrHr3RBYc2
— AKubitzky (@AKubitzky) October 11, 2015
The Boy Wonder is off to another hot start.
Nate MacKinnon leads the Avs with seven shots on goal, converting one; his four assists put him just one behind Beauchemin’s league high and ties him for the second most points in the NHL through one week.
His sophomore season may have been somewhat of a disappointment, but MacKinnon is on pace to blow those numbers out of the water in year three. Yeah, it’s only two games, but there’s no doubting Mackinnon’s talent; this kid is capable of anything.
First Star: Gabriel Landeskog
https://twitter.com/AJHaefele/status/653215201383223296
Come on, NHL, give the captain some credit!
I’m not sure what else Gabriel Landeskog has to do to earn himself a spot on the league’s “Three Stars” for week one, but I can promise you that his performance did not go unnoticed here at Mile High Sports.
Landeskog ignited the Avs comeback victory over the Stars with two goals and two assists, giving him five points on the season. And his three goals on the year are good for second most in the league despite the fact that he’s only played in two games.
As the heart and soul of this Avalanche team, the Avs need Landeskog to be playing at his best all season long; so far, that’s exactly what he’s doing.