The Colorado Avalanche lost again last night, falling 3-2 to the Ducks at home. The defeat dropped the Avs’ record to 3-5-5. So far this season, only five teams have gained a lower percentage of points from their games than the 2013-14 Central Division champs.
While head coach Patrick Roy has largely kept his cool and stayed positive during the Avs’ tough start, that doesn’t mean he’s happy.
“We have to find ways to play 60 minutes,” he said (video).
“We’re going to need more consistency, especially from our forwards. Everybody’s talking a lot about our D, but I think we have some forwards that are capable of giving a little more to the team.”
Roy singled out the play of veteran Jarome Iginla -- “Jarome lost his position, he lost his D” -- on the Ducks’ third goal, scored by defenseman Cam Fowler.
Reason for optimism?
On Tuesday, the Avs host the Canucks, a team Colorado dominated on Oct. 24.
The caveat in saying that?
Vancouver won’t be playing the second game of a back-to-back this time.
“It doesn’t have to be always pretty,” said Roy. “Sometimes, it’s just good game management, be smarter in our decisions, and keep it more simple. ... Things are not always going to go our way. And it’s when things are not going our way that we try to force plays, push plays, and this is where we get into trouble.”