Avs' critical deadline mistake could derail their playoff hopes

Game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a nightmare for the Colorado Avalanche, as they outshot their division rival Winnipeg Jets 46-23, with their loss exposing a major flaw in their team-building process. While not all the blame can be placed on goaltending, the Jets had an expected goals for of 1.96 after putting up seven goals, and that just won't get it done in the playoffs.

What makes this worse is the moves at the trade deadline for the Avalanche, as they added Sean Walker and Casey Mittelstadt, but failed to address goaltending, a move that is likely to now come back to haunt them.

Not only that, but there was the likelihood that Jacob Markstrom, Elvis Merzlikins or several other goaltenders were available via trade, and standing still has done absolutely nothing for Colorado. With Connor Hellebuyck on the other side in their first-round series against Winnipeg, the Jets have the major advantage in net, and while the Avs may have the edge in skaters, it may not matter if they continue to give up seven goals on just 23 shots.

Source: Hockey Feed