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NHL Power Rankings: Week 18 Injuries, Prospects, In-Depth Analysis

By Matt Duscharme

Feb 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Power Rankings: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate the win over against the Montreal Canadiens at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Canadiens 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate the win over against the Montreal Canadiens at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Canadiens 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 30 (-)

Team Record: (15-33-2)

Goals For: 103

Goals Against: 167

Special Teams

PP: 23-for-158 (14.6 percent) (29th)
PK: 40-for-186 (78.5 percent) (25th)

Injury List

Erik Johnson (leg) – out until mid-February
Semyon Varlamov (groin) – day-to-day
Matt Nieto (lower body) – day-to-day
Tyson Barrie (lower body) – day-to-day
Rene Bourque (undisclosed) – day-to-day

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Nathan MacKinnon (50gp 12g 24a 36pts)
Top Defenseman: Tyson Barrie (44gp 3g 20a 23pts)
Top Rookie: Mikko Rantanen (45gp 11g 13a 24pts)
Top Goaltender: Calvin Pickard (9-14-1 2.93GAA .907 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Mikko Rantanen (2gp 3g 1a 4pts)

The Colorado Avalanche finally found some life this past week, winning two games in a row for the first time since November 21. While nobody is expecting the team to go on a Columbus-esque win streak, it was a nice break from the agony for the fans, players and management alike.

The Avalanche stymied the Jets 5-2, ending a nine-game losing streak before taking their game to new heights in a 4-0 shutout win over the Atlantic Division-leading Montreal Canadiens. The win was highlighted by Mikko Rantanen’s first NHL hat trick. Calvin Pickard picked up the shutout stopping 27 pucks fired his way.

While Mikko Rantanen was leading the way, he received great support from the usual suspects. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, while trade rumor poster boys Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog each picked up a trio of assists.

One player who may not get a lot of attention is waiver claim Mark Barberio. Barberio started the season with the Montreal Canadiens picking up four assists in 26 games before being placed on waivers after the Habs acquired Nikita Nesterov from Tampa Bay. Barberio got into his first two games with his new club and has a pair of assists to show for them. The 26-year-old is considered a late bloomer, but his offense from the blue line is no joke. Barberio was the top scoring defenseman in the AHL in the 2011-12 season.

Weekly Prospect Profile: F Cameron Morrison, Notre Dame (NCAA)

2016-17 stats: 28gp 7g 8a 15pts

Players drafted out of the USHL are always a bit of an enigma, and Cameron Morrison is a head-scratcher. Morrison dominated with the Youngstown Phantoms and was selected in the second round of the 2016 draft by the Avalanche. He has not gotten off to a great start currently sitting in 8th for points on his Notre Dame club. Not all is lost though as Morrison has been dubbed a power forward, using his bulky frame to power his way through the opposition. He has been a strong power play producer but has struggled at even strength.

– Trin Potratz

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