Why The Avalanche Are So Good

After not making the playoffs for the last four seasons, the Colorado Avalanche were looking to turn things around.  They are a team built through the draft, like the Oilers, but it actually worked for them.  With top-end offensive/defensive talent, they were bound to turn things around this season.

They brought in Patrick Roy to coach, and made a president of hockey operations out of former franchise player Joe Sakic.  Patrick Roys first game as a coach sees him go crazy, as Bruce Boudreau put his goons out at the end of a game.  Roy was fined 10,000 for his tirade.   

This season, the Aves have a record of 14-4 and they stand 5th in the league.  Matt Duchene has been a juggernaut this season, with 20 points in 18 games he stands 16th in point leaders.  Nathan Mackinnon has had a great start to his rookie year, playing of the Aves third line.

But the real reason for the Aves success is their young skilled team, their lines look like this: