
Following a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the Avalanche return home with all kinds of issues that need to be sorted out. Their depth has struggled to produce, the inconsistencies on defense are glaring, and the goaltending hasn't quite stolen games in recent weeks. Also, is Valeri Nichushkin any closer to returning? Having Wednesday off will help after the emotional roller coaster of the past four days. The team boarded a flight to Boston early on Friday with Mikko Rantanen only for him to be traded less than 12 hours later. They followed that up with