NHL scores 2017: This season cannot end soon enough for the poor Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche must be counting down the days until the end of the season.

It’s not a surprise at this point to say that the Avalanche lost once again. When they’ve played 63 games and won just 17 of them, you know it’s bad. In fact, it’s probably quite miserable in the Colorado locker room. When sub-par Edmonton and Buffalo teams were losing games just a few seasons ago, they were doing it with the intent to snag the top spot in the draft. The Avalanche, instead, are losing primarily because they’re just that bad of a hockey team.

And it’s hard to watch. In their 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Jets, they generated just 23 shots. At one point on Saturday, Colorado had more penalties taken than shots on goal. Plus, the Avalanche are last in practically every statistic on NHL.com and have been stuck in a failed season since December.

Oh, and to make things worse? The players have clearly checked out. Otherwise I can’t find any reasonable explanation as to why Blake Comeau tried to drop a pass instead of shooting on a breakaway.

If only there was an NHL-wide mercy rule to put the Avalanche out of their clear misery. Just 19 more games to go.

Bruins 3, Devils 2
Lightning 2, Sabres 1 (SO)
Stars 2, Panthers 1
Senators 3, Blue Jackets 2
Jets 6, Avalanche 1
Canadiens 4, Rangers 1
Capitals 2, Flyers 1 (OT)
Blackhawks 5, Predators 3
Canucks 4, Kings 3
Oilers 4, Red Wings 3

1. The firsts for new players continue

The new acquisitions for playoff-hopeful teams are continuing to make positive contributions to their teams. Drew Stafford, Jordie Benn, and Nikolay Goldobin contributed in their team’s respectful victories on Saturday.

Stafford set up Ryan Spooner’s game-winning goal for Boston halfway through the third period, moving the Bruins’ record to 8-2-0 since firing Claude Julien.

Also succeeding since firing their head coach are the Canadiens, who are 6-2-0 under Julien. Benn’s first in a Montreal sweater gave the Canadiens some breathing room against the Rangers in their 4-1 win.

Goldobin tallied his first goal of the season in his debut with the Canucks in Vancouver’s victory over the Kings.

2. Patrik Laine is once again leading rookies in scoring

The rookie scoring race is really turning into an “anything you can do, I can do better” scenario, as Auston Matthews and Laine keep flip flopping for the lead. Laine got ahead again with a goal in the Jets’ takedown of the Avalanche, putting him at 32 on the year.

Quite incredible that the NHL has two rookies this year on pace for 40-goal seasons.

3. The Capitals are practically unbeatable at home

It took an overtime goal from Nicklas Backstrom to get it done, but Washington has now won 15 straight games at home this season.

Deserving mention for excellent play by the opposition is Steve Mason, who just moments before saved a huge Washington opportunity with his head.

The save didn’t end up mattering since the Capitals won, sadly. But, a playoff atmosphere from both sides had this low-scoring game as one of the best on the night.

Nikita Kucherov pulled a brilliant move in the shootout to put their comeback against the Sabres on ice.

What a troll.