The Colorado Avalanche host the Seattle Kraken on Monday night before flying to Nashville for a very important Central Division clash. The next two games kick off a very busy stretch for the 'Avs. Colorado plays eight games of the next 13 days including three sets of back-to-backs.

Nashville leads the Central Division with 48 points (23-11-2). Colorado (21-8-2) trails by four points with five games in hand. The Division is ripe for the taking, but before the 'Avs can sink their teeth into the Preds they have to contend with an expansion team that plays very much like.... well.... an expansion team.

The Kraken was probably one of the most overhyped teams coming into the season. Mainly because of the success Vegas had when it entered the league and also the Seattle roster was heavenly constructed around analytics. So far the computers have been wrong.

The Kraken is dead last in the Pacific Division and is among the worst team in the NHL statistically. They are bottom five in goals for in the West and only Arizona has allowed more goals against in the entire league. They are in the bottom third of the league in both the PP and PK.

Jordan Eberle has 22 points (12g 10a) to lead the Kraken in scoring. Former 'Av Joonas Donskoi has no goals and 14 assists in 33 games with his new club. Ouch.

And of course, former Colorado netminder Phillip Grubauer has had struggles of his own. Gru is 7-13-4 with a 3.31 GA and .882 save percentage. Double ouch.

All that said, the 'Avs cannot take them lightly. This definitely has the making of a trap game for sure. Seattle doesn't shoot much but they make up for it with shot suppression. They are one of the NHL's best teams in holding the opponent in check when it comes to allowing pucks on the net.

Colorado is undefeated since returning from the extended Christmas break and is 9-1 in the last 10 games. The defense is scoring at will, the top line is a monster and the goaltending situation is dicey at best. All of this has led to the Avalanche being the best show in town and with the trade deadline looming large things are about to get even more intriguing.

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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