Avs shine when games reach OT, shootout

Advantage Margin            0
The Avs were the only team in the NHL to have exactly the same number of power plays for and against -- 318 of each. They had eight more advantages at home (162-154) and eight fewer on the road (156-164).

Even-Strength Goals Margin        -45
None of the Avs' top 14 scorers last season had a plus rating, and eight (including the first four) were in double figures. Colorado's 0.75 goals for/against ratio while playing 5-on-5 was next-to-last in the NHL.
   
Special Teams Goal Margin        -18       
The Avs' power play was middle of the pack at home (17th, 17.9 percent) but did little away from the Pepsi Center (13.5 percent, 21 goals scored, 5 shorthanded goals allowed).

Goals by defensemen            28
John-Michael Liles (12) accounted for nearly half of his team's goal production from the blue line and wound up fourth on the team in scoring with 39 points.

Overtime Record            
Total: 12-1-4 (OT: 3-1, SO: 9-4)

Colorado's success in games that were tied at the end of regulation was the only real bright spot last season. The Avs were tied for tops in the Western Conference with 12 post-regulation victories and were best in the West with just five losses.
   
Times Scored First           
31 (Record: 18-11-2)

Playing from behind is never fun in the NHL, and no team had to do it more often last season than the Avs, who got the first goal just 15 times (an NHL low) at home and only 16 times (fewest in the West) on the road.

Best 08-09 Number             22
Shootout goals scored by the Avalanche (in 43 tries), the most in the NHL. Wojtek Wolski turned into a shootout star, leading the League with 10 shootout goals and an .833 scoring percentage.

Worst 08-09 Number          21
Blowout games (three or more goals) lost by the Avs, the most in the NHL. Colorado was just 8-21 in games decided by three or more goals -- and 10-30 in games when the margin was more than a single goal.
   
Scheduling
Colorado will be tested quickly -- after opening with two games at home, the Avs play their next seven away from the Pepsi Center and will play 11 of their first 15 on the road. They do have a pair of five-game homestands and play five of their last seven at home.