Welcome to the Burgundy Breakdown, which details the previous week of action featuring the Colorado Avalanche.

The past week was not too kind to the Avalanche, as the team went 0-2-1 in their first games after the break. The Avs’ first game of the second half was against the rival Chicago Blackhawks, and the Avs fell to the Hawks, 2-1, despite attempts to tie it late with the extra attacker. With the loss, the Avalanche officially have a losing record against a divisional opponent, going 1-2-1 against the Stanley Cup Champions this season. Tuesday was the final meeting between the Avs and Hawks in this regular season, though a playoff meeting is possible.

Photo by Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, the Avalanche faced off against the Dallas Stars for the third time this season, having won both of their previous meetings. This was a game that the Avalanche were in for the most part, but the Stars tied it up in the middle of the third period to force overtime. In the OT, a turnover by Tyson Barrie allowed Dallas to win it on a breakaway, by a score of 4-3. Though the Avalanche picked up only a solitary point, it was still more than the Predators and Wild that day, as both teams lost in regulation.

Saturday saw the Avalanche remaining at home against the Winnipeg Jets, who the Avs have owned this season. Entering Saturday’s game, the Avalanche went 3-0 against the Jets, but on that Saturday, the Avalanche didn’t seem to have it. The Avs scored first in the opening period, but the Jets scored the next three goals to make it a 3-1 game. Matt Duchene scored his 24th goal of the season to cut it down to 3-2, but in the third period, the Avalanche gave up a breakaway chance that resulted in a goal for Mathieu Perreault, and the Avs fell, 4-2.

Since winning four straight games, the Avalanche are 1-3-1 in their last five games, but are still in a play-off position. The skid has moved the Avalanche down to the 2nd Wild Card position; tied with Nashville in points (58) but having played two more games than the Preds. This week, the Avs play four games, including three straight on the road. The Avs will host the Canucks on Tuesday; the first meeting of the season and the only time that the Avs will host the Canucks, the next two will be in Vancouver. After that, the Avalanche will go on a three game road trip, going to Ottawa (2/11), Detroit (2/12), and Buffalo (2/14).

Until next week!

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