The best way to combat the Colorado Avalanche’s aggressive style should be to catch them with counterattacks, particularly making them pay for high-risk mistakes.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar talks with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews on the bench during the second period at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
“I think we just have good instincts as a group back there of understanding where trouble could arise and trying to mitigate it before it becomes a real problem,” said Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, who might be the best defenseman in the league at this particular tactic.
That’s when a small window opens for the opposing team to strike. The Avs try to find a way to close it, and they’re very successful at it. “When we’re able to put pressure on guys and get our sticks in there before they’re able to turn and make that heads-up play, that’s what we’re trying to do. If we’re able to shift the puck on a 3-on-2 to the left side to a player on his backhand, that’s better for us because he usually isn’t going to throw it across on his backhand. He’s going to want to pull up to get to his forehand and that slows him down, so then you can play off that.
“If you’re backed off, then there’s no way you’re going to go step up, because then you’re going the wrong direction,” Avs defenseman Josh Manson said. “We trust our forwards to get above the puck, which means we can stay up and make those plays.”
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