Colorado Avalanche vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions October 16th 2024

Winless Avalanche offer welcome change of opponent for Bruins

The Boston Bruins are off to a solid start this NHL season, standing at 2-2-0 after four games. However, the two losses on their record have come at the hands of the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. With the Panthers out of the picture until January, the Bruins are now shifting their focus to a different, struggling opponent – the Colorado Avalanche. The two teams will face off on Wednesday night in Denver, where Boston will be looking to regain momentum after a recent loss.

Bruins’ Strong Start, But Panthers Prove Tough

Despite their early losses, the Bruins have shown promise in several areas. The team’s two wins highlight their ability to compete with top-tier teams, but the losses to Florida expose a need for greater consistency, especially when facing elite opponents. Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Panthers was particularly frustrating, but Boston walked away with positives – most notably, the stellar contributions from their bottom-six forwards.

In that game, Boston’s fourth line was instrumental in creating all three of their goals, showcasing the depth that the team can rely on when its stars aren’t producing. David Pastrnak, who had his three-game goal streak ended, was held without a goal, but captain Brad Marchand praised the effort of the bottom lines.

“They’ve been unbelievable,” Marchand said. “It’s great to see the way they compete and bring it every night. The rest of us need to take a page out of their book and be a lot better. But they’re definitely carrying the weight right now.”

Physical Play and Team Unity Shine for Boston

Monday’s game against Florida was a physical one, and it offered a glimpse of Boston’s unity and determination. One of the standout moments was Pavel Zacha stepping up to defend teammate Pastrnak after a hit from former Bruin, A.J. Greer. Zacha dropped the gloves in support of his teammate, underscoring the Bruins’ commitment to protecting one another.

Head coach Jim Montgomery expressed his approval, saying, “I love what Pav did. He went in, defended him. That’s great.” This type of team-first mentality is something the Bruins will look to build upon as they prepare for a three-game road trip, starting with a Colorado Avalanche team that is desperate for a win.

Colorado Avalanche: Struggling to Find Their Footing

The Avalanche have had a nightmarish start to their season, going 0-3 and conceding a staggering 20 goals in those losses, including three empty-netters. For a team that hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2022, this is far from the start they envisioned.

Despite the struggles, Colorado remains confident they can turn things around. Cale Makar, the team’s star defenseman, acknowledges the tough start but remains optimistic. “The world seems like it is falling on top of you, but at the end of the day, you’re going to find a way out of it. We just have to win the next one. That’s all we’re focused on.”

While goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has been under pressure, he has performed better than his recent stats suggest. In Colorado’s 6-2 loss to the New York Islanders, Georgiev allowed five goals on 36 shots, but head coach Jared Bednar placed the blame on the defense rather than his goalie.

“I thought that was the worst defensive game of the three by a mile,” Bednar said. “If you’re going to cheat for offense, things aren’t going to look good defensively.” This defensive lapse has been one of the key reasons for Colorado’s slow start, leaving Georgiev vulnerable in net.

Avalanche Hit Hard by Injuries and Absences

Colorado’s issues are compounded by the fact that they’re playing without several key players. Four of their top-six forwards are currently unavailable. Gabe Landeskog is out with a knee injury, Artturi Lehkonen is nursing a shoulder injury, and Valeri Nichushkin is serving a suspension. On top of that, Devon Toews, Makar’s defensive partner, was sidelined in their last game with a lower-body injury, though he is expected to return against Boston.

The team is also missing forward Jonathan Drouin, who has been out with an upper-body injury since the season opener. These absences have stretched Colorado’s lineup thin, forcing the remaining players to step up in roles they might not usually fill.

NHL Picks and Predictions

Bruins’ Opportunity for a Turnaround

For the Bruins, this matchup offers a chance to bounce back and solidify their place as an early-season contender. Boston’s offensive stars, such as Pastrnak and Marchand, will be eager to return to form after being kept off the scoresheet against Florida. Meanwhile, the Bruins’ depth, particularly their impressive fourth line, could once again play a pivotal role against a Colorado team that has struggled defensively.

With Colorado’s defense in disarray and their roster weakened by injuries, Boston has an opportunity to capitalize on the Avalanche’s misfortunes. If the Bruins can bring their physical, team-oriented play from the Florida game into this matchup, they’ll likely find success.

Avalanche’s Desperation: A Dangerous Factor

Although the Avalanche are winless, they are also desperate, which can make them a dangerous opponent. Teams with their backs against the wall often play with a sense of urgency, and Colorado certainly has the talent to turn things around. With Cale Makar leading the charge and Devon Toews likely returning to the lineup, Boston will need to be ready for a fight.

Colorado’s goaltending will also be a key factor. Georgiev has shown flashes of brilliance but has been let down by the play in front of him. If the Avalanche can tighten up defensively and give their goalie more support, they could pose a significant challenge for the Bruins.

Conclusion

The game between the Boston Bruins and the Colorado Avalanche is shaping up to be an intriguing battle of contrasting circumstances. The Bruins, despite recent setbacks, have the momentum and depth to take advantage of a struggling Avalanche team. Meanwhile, Colorado, though battered and winless, remains a dangerous opponent capable of snapping out of their early-season slump.

For Boston, this is a golden opportunity to regain confidence on their road trip, while for Colorado, it’s a chance to stop the bleeding and get their first win of the season. With both teams hungry for success, Wednesday night’s game promises to be a competitive and physical matchup.