Colorado Avalanche Playoff Hopes Dimming

The Colorado Avalanche have imploded.

A month ago they were competing for the division, currently stand a mere two points over ninth place Calgary—the Avalanche's next opponent. Following the Olympic break, the Avalanche haven't found the momentum they had in the first 50 games of the season, and are 1-5-1 in the past seven.

In other words, they're finally playing like the youngest team in the NHL.

The Avs have gotten pretty consistent offensive production from the top two lines, but it hasn't been enough to overshadow one of the NHL's worst defenses, and recently the unexceptional goaltending of Craig Anderson.

When the Avalanche play the Flames on Friday night, it'll be Game Seven for both teams.

If Colorado wins, Calgary's season will be finished due to the fact that they'll be four points behind Colorado with one fewer game left in the season. Colorado will hold the tiebreaker regardless of the games outcome, as at worst they'll finish the season series at 4-2-0.

If Calgary wins, they'll be tied with Colorado in points. As mentioned, Colorado would still hold the tiebreaker and have a game in hand, but what difference will it make with the way they've been playing?

After an NHL best 10-1-2 start, it'll feel like a hard kick in the jewels to fans if the Avalanche miss the playoffs. But the reality is that the Avalanche largely haven't been a good team this season. Good teams are solid from top to bottom; they get consistent scoring, good defense, and solid goaltending.

The Avalanche only got two of those things this season, and it was only a matter of time before Craig Anderson—who leads the NHL with 1944 saves—got worn down. After all, how much can you expect from a guy that was signed for peanuts as a free agent last summer?

The Paul Stastnys, the Matt Duchenes, and the Chris Stewarts promise that the Avalanche will be a Stanley Cup contender in the near future, maybe even as early as next season.

Until then, fans can only watch in despondency as a season that seemed so right went so wrong.