The Colorado Avalanche are one of the most dangerous teams at even strength. They work as a full five-man unit that plays responsibly on both ends.
And then they go on the power play or the penalty kill, and the wheels come off the bus. That fact is preventing them from making a real run at the top of the Central Division.
Last night the Avalanche had three power plays and four penalties, one of them a double-minor. They did score a power play goal, but they also gave up a goal on the penalty kill. And on the power play.