Cale Makar confirms his frustration in Colorado and the Avs have no choice but to fix a big problem
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Cale Makar and head coach Jared Bednar have the Avalanche sitting as the top team in the NHL, but a glaring special teams issue is threatening that success.
Colorado dominates their opponents with blazing speed and unmatched offensive output during 5-on-5 play. They dictate the pace and completely overwhelm defenses almost every single night.
The man advantage is a totally different story right now. It has unexpectedly become a nightly struggle for a seasoned roster with massive Stanley Cup aspirations.
The Avalanche inexplicably own the worst power play percentage in the entire league this season. That is a baffling reality for a group loaded with this much high-end talent.
Fans are stunned watching a unit featuring elite playmakers get held scoreless so consistently. The tension is becoming obvious inside the arena when they draw a penalty.
Crisp passing and controlled entries have frequently been replaced by forced cross-ice feeds and broken formations. They are struggling to establish sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
Frustration Reaching A Boiling Point
Makar addressed the glaring special teams deficiency directly after another disorganized outing. The elite blueliner did not hide his true feelings on the current situation.
"Obviously, we wish we could score on every single power play, and I think that's what the fans expect," Makar explained to the gathered media.
He fully understands the passionate fan base demands solid execution every single time the top unit hops over the boards. They expect greatness from this core.
"But for us right now, we just got to continue building it," he added. He insists the group is still generating some quality opportunities despite the brutal numbers.
The reality of the prolonged slump is definitely starting to wear on the locker room. The frustration is impossible to ignore at this stage of the season.
"Yeah, of course, it's frustrating. You want to go out there," Makar said about the mounting internal pressure to produce with the extra man.
He also warned against having unrealistic expectations every single time the whistle blows. He knows the mental aspect is half the battle.
"Power plays aren't 100%. Power plays are, whatever, 25%," he stated bluntly. He wants the unit to stay grounded and focus on the fundamentals instead of chasing perfection.
Colorado is already an absolute juggernaut at even strength. If they finally sort out this power play mess, they are the undeniable odds-on favorite to lift the Stanley Cup.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 1|118 ANSWERS Cale Makar confirms his frustration in Colorado and the Avs have no choice but to fix a big problem Will the Avalanche fix their power play before the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 82 | 69.5 % |
| No | 36 | 30.5 % |
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