Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche begins the team’s “15 of 20 on the road” stretch that will last until Saturday Dec. 5. Colorado starts with two games in Florida, first at the Panthers, then at defending Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay on Thursday before heading to Carolina on Friday.

Colorado is off to a disappointing start at 2-4-1, and has struggled equally at home (1-3-1) as on the road (1-1-0). With just five points on the season, the Avs are last in the division and already six points behind the three teams above them in the standings – the Jets, Blues and Wild.

Patrick Roy’s team has plenty to work on in the early going, but these three things stand out as primary areas to watch as they begin the first leg of this long stretch (mostly) away from home.