And the Rookies Regale

Going into this season the Colorado Avalanche knew they were going to be depending on rookies.  And they knew they were going to be playing them in key positions and for respectable minutes.

The experts knew this too and the last thing they gave the Avalanche was respect.

They were predicted to finish anywhere from 14^th in the conference to just out of the playoffs, anywhere but where they are now.

And as it turns out the rookies have been a key to their success.

No one was really surprised that Matt Duchene has succeeded.  It’s expected.  And after a bit of adjustment early in the season Duchene has moved up to third in scoring on the team and leads all rookies in the league.  He’s had 6 points in the last five games.

Ryan O’Reilly doesn’t shine in the stats column but Coach Joe Sacco clearly has faith in the kid and often puts him on the ice in critical defensive situations.

And as the injuries have piled up even more rookies have been called upon to contribute. 

First it was Ryan Wilson, a defenseman that hadn’t even sniffed the big time.  A few injuries soon changed that and he found himself paired with grizzled veteran and team captain Adam Foote.  He started playing bigger and bigger minutes and displaying his big hits as well.  I wrote a player profile on Wilson that you can read here.

Since Brandon Yip came up he has been on fire.  In his fifteen games with the Avs, Yip has scored 6 goals and 11 points including the game winner against Nashville Friday night.

After a good weekend for the Avalanche, grabbing four points and holding the division lead, the team will be idle for three days.  But the red-hot Canucks are in action Monday and Wednesday, giving them plenty of opportunity to grab the lead from the Avalanche.