Duchene/Iginla productivity
Combining for four goals and three assists, it doesn’t seem like the productivity is all that bad between Matt Duchene and Jarome Iginla. Looking deeper in to the advanced statistics, however, the duo gets outshot and out-possessed more than anyone on the ice.
The Avalanche are still trying to find a perfect fit for the left wing on this line, which can be frustrating for all involved, considering that they have the makings of a potent first line. Yet without a consistent third piece, they do not seem to be getting in to any sort of rhythm together.
Head coach Patrick Roy has been matching the Duchene/Iginla line against other teams’ third lines recently. Ideally, matching lines in this way should provide a substantial advantage for the Avalanche, but has yet to make much of an impact. Colorado needs both Duchene and Iginla to turn up their level of play and produce in all three zones of the ice in order to succeed, not to mention finding a consistent third wheel.
