Avalanche have a goals against problem

Even after a disappointing road trip that included five losses in six games, the Colorado Avalanche still began the day Saturday tied for the most goals scored in the NHL.

It’s the goals being scored at the other end that is the issue.

The Avs were level with Vancouver and Dallas at 203 goals for, with the Stars slightly ahead on a per-game basis having played one less contest. But a quick glance at the column next to goals scored highlights the biggest concern with 25 games left in the regular season.

Among the top 12 teams in the league standings by points percentage, the 177 goals Colorado has allowed is easily the most.

“It’s buying into it, more commitment, more effort, more structure, attention to detail — the list goes on for how you can fix it,” Avs defenseman Josh Manson said. “At the end of the day, it is buying into that mentality of not wanting to give up goals. Nobody wants to give up goals. I think there is a difference in the mentality when it shifts from, ‘I don’t want to give up a goal,’ to, ‘I am absolutely not going to give up a goal and I’m going to make sure I do everything I can so that I don’t.’ We need to shift a little more towards that. And even though we have a lot of goals for, I think it will help that as well.”

The Avs allowed 23 in the final five games of the trip. Even with four of them being empty-netters, 19 goals allowed in five games would be too many.

Even if we include the first game of the trip, a solid effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers, the Avalanche has allowed 24.38 expected goals in the past six contests — nearly five more than any other team.

For the season, the Avs are now 17th in expected goals per 60 minutes. Among the 15 teams below them, only the Toronto Maple Leafs is going to be on anyone’s extended list of Stanley Cup contenders.

“It wasn’t a great road trip,” Avs defenseman Jack Johnson said. “When we are good, we’re really focused on our defensive game first. The offense has traditionally taken care of itself. It’s something that needs to be addressed, but I’d rather do it now and go through this period of time now than in game No. 75 or the first round of the playoffs.

“Every goal against and every mistake is pretty unique. I don’t ever question guys’ effort. There is a difference between playing hard and playing smart. Your attention to the details and the little things that matter is usually the difference between giving up a goal or keeping the puck out of your net.”

Colorado had a longer than normal practice Saturday. The intensity and physicality looked a little more like a training camp session at times than a normal in-season practice.

The Avs had a players-only meeting after a 4-0 loss to Florida. Two games later, they were left unhappy with the defensive effort again in a 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

It’s less than three weeks to the trade deadline, and there will be plenty of focus of who the Avalanche might add to improve the roster. Without the mentality adjustment Manson was talking about, it might not matter who joins the club if the current group doesn’t do a better job of keeping the puck out of its own net.