The Colorado Avalanche are living up to the hype this season, sitting comfortably atop the Central Division and leading the entire NHL. This marks the ninth straight season that their head coach has guided them to the playoffs, a stark contrast to his rocky first year when the team was struggling. With the regular season finale just two weeks away, there's still plenty at stake.
The Avalanche are eyeing the top seed in the Western Conference, a goal well within reach. However, the Jack Adams Award, which honors the NHL's top coach, remains a topic of debate.
Surprisingly, some sources don't even list Bednar as a contender. Yet, considering how he's steered the Avalanche to their current position, his impact is undeniable.
A significant part of their success this season can be credited to the stellar goaltending of Scott Wedgewood. Few anticipated Wedgewood's standout performance, especially as he's outshined Mackenzie Blackwood. Recently, Bednar has been leaning towards Wedgewood, a decision that reflects his strong play.
The final stretch of games will be crucial for Bednar's candidacy for the Jack Adams Award. A recent game against the Vancouver Canucks highlighted some challenges.
The Avalanche couldn't complete a comeback, falling 8-6, with Blackwood pulled early in favor of Wedgewood. Despite the team's defensive struggles, Blackwood's performance was lacking, leaving Bednar visibly frustrated.
A coach's role is to ready his team for any challenge, and the Avs' loss to the Canucks was unexpected. This could potentially impact Bednar's recognition moving forward.
Missing Cale Makar due to an upper-body injury hasn't helped, but the depth players needed to step up. Turnovers have plagued the team, deviating from the disciplined hockey the Avalanche are known for. Improvement is crucial, especially against teams lower in the Pacific Division standings.
The Avalanche's remaining schedule includes matchups against the Kraken, Blues, Stars, Golden Knights, and Oilers. If they can navigate this stretch successfully, Bednar might re-enter the Jack Adams conversation. However, some inconsistent performances could cast a shadow over his chances for the award.