Colorado Avalanche: Five Reasons for Success So Far This Season

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

There seems to be a air of confidence over on Chopper Drive at the Pepsi Center this year that wasn't there last year, and it's showing in the Avalanche's on-ice play so far in this young season.

This team was expected to come in and dwell near or at the bottom of not only the Western Conference, but the entire league.  No one respected the Avs enough to even give them a puncher's chance, but after five games, the Avs are 3-2 and could very easily be 4-1.

So far, this team looks nothing like the team that most expected to see.  Now before we get ahead of ourselves here, as I've stated previously, it's too early for any foolish predictions.  However, this team—right now, anyway—is solid.  

Most will tell you that it's the newness of the season, and they're "skating by" on adrenaline.  No pun intended...or maybe it was. 

Anyway, that may be true, but from what I can see, there are some very good reasons for the Avs' great start.  Here are my top five reasons, in reverse order.

5.  The Emergence of Wojtek Wolski

Make no mistake about it: This last summer, the gauntlet was thrown at Wolski's feet, and the Avalanche organization challenged him probably more so than anyone else.  Wolski has responded in a big way, amassing six points in five games with four goals. 

The challenge of the organization isn't the biggest reason for his hot start, however.  I think what you're seeing from Wolski is a young man who has finally turned the corner.  He's caught up with the speed of the game.  He's learned the nuances and ripples of the game, and gotten stronger, thus making him a better player. 

But maybe most importantly, he's learned that success isn't easy to achieve nor is it given to you.  In Junior Hockey, Wolski was a stud, an elite player.  Now he's realized, at this level of the game, it takes hard work to earn it, and his play is showing that.

This season he's been much more physical, and much more assertive and decisive in the offensive zone, which is why we're all seeing a young star develop right before our eyes.  His decision-making has been nearly perfect in the attacking zone in regard to when to pass or shoot, and when to take the body or the puck. 

He's a smarter player this season.  And I can only think that having Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny as his linemates has given Wolski the ability to just play within himself and let the game come to him, instead of feeling like he has to do it all and force the action...which is what we saw so often last season.

This is the Wolski that the Avalanche have been waiting on for the last couple of years, and right now he's proving that the wait was worth it.  Call it maturity.

4.  Offensive Presence from Defensemen

The Avalanche this young season have been very good in all the zones of the ice, and particularly good in the offensive zone.  The Avalanche have been able to contain the puck and generate good scoring chances down low thanks to great play from their defenseman in the opposition's zone.

The Avalanche defensemen have been excellent in the offensive zone, mainly because of their positioning and tenacious style of puck pursuit.  They've shown that they're becoming a tough team, which is what Sacco promised upon his arrival.

Kyle Quincey is the only defenseman in the NHL to score at least a point in every game so far this season, and that's HUGE for the Avalanche.  To date, Quincey has six points, with five of those being assists.

That tells me that he's seeing the play develop from the point and has been able to contain the puck when needed.  Quincey has been superbly physical this season, and has proven that any issues with his back are gone.

Defensively, the Avs haven't been stellar, but they've been solid.  They've been able to block a lot of shots and give netminder Craig Anderson lanes to see the shot coming at him.  That's incredibly important for a goaltender, because normally he can't stop what he doesn't see.

Physical play has been the key to the success of the defensive corps this season, and with that play has come an intimidation factor, which in my eyes, has become obvious in all of their games.  Opposing teams know they're going to get beat up a little with this team.  And that's a good thing.

3.  Getting Out to Early Leads

You want a stunning factoid?  The Avalanche have not trailed after the first period or second period once so far this season.  No, that's actually NOT a typo, you read that right: not one time.

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