Analysis: Top-line struggles explains the Avalanche’s eight-game losing streak

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) scores against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov (1) in the second period at the Pepsi Center Feb. 12, 2019. Toronto’s top forwards and its supporting offensive cast easily outplayed the Avalanche and its best players Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center. In a game featuring three point-per-game players on each side, the Maple Leafs won in a landslide.

Colorado’s top line of center Nathan MacKinnon and wingers Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen were pointless with just two combined shots, while the Maple Leafs’ “Big Three” of Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Mitchell Marner had six shots and six points and teammates Kasperi Kapanen and…