Denver's NHL struggles hinge on poor goaltending and subpar offensive skills!

Whenever you critique a team that’s racked up 44 wins in 66 games — and was the first in the NHL to hit every major points milestone from 10 through 90 — you risk sounding overly nitpicky. At times, it can even come across as downright foolish. Mark Twain once observed, “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they’ve been fooled.

” So let me ask: Have we been fooled into believing this Avalanche team has the necessary depth on the back end? It certainly feels that way when, even with all seven defensemen available, Colorado continues to surrender far too many high-danger net-front chances. The Colorado Avalanche will have a tough time in the playoffs if they continue this trend of leaving guys all alone in front of the net.

It doesn't matter who's in net for those chances. #GoAvsGo | @MileHighHockey — Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) March 17, 2026 The recent loss to the Edmonton Oilers felt like a comfortable write-off. I shrugged and told myself, “You can’t win them all,” before turning off the TV.

But then came another late-night disappointment — and an even more lackluster effort to protect the net front and the net-minders who have supported this team all season. Monday night’s 7-2 defeat to the Crosby-less but very much Malkin-ized Penguins stung for more than just the final score. It was even more bitter because, just as most fans, coaches, and players had finally agreed that Scott Wedgewood deserved the net, he was pulled after the first period.