Avalanche’s Brock Nelson Heating Up at the Perfect Time

“If I knew how to bottle it up [I would], but I think it’s just trying to just play, not really think about it too much,” Nelson said in regard to his recent play after the game against Toronto. “Go out there and read and react on the play, find your space, find your openings and never pass up your shot.”

Avalanche, Team USA Reap Benefits of Nelson’s Surge

Never pass up your shot.

It’s a creed Nelson has taken to heart over the past two months. With that philosophy, he’s led the NHL in goals per game since the end of November and has helped the Avalanche continue to impose their will on the rest of the league.

Team USA surely hopes that this same Nelson shows up in Milan in a couple of weeks. Nelson probably hopes so, too, especially after his lackluster performance for the United States at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. In four games, he failed to record a point.

It was the first time the then-33-year-old had competed for his home nation since the 2015 IIHF World Championships in the Czech Republic — where the Americans earned the bronze medal — and Nelson called it an experience he’ll always remember. Still, with the U.S. falling short of the Canadians and with Nelson not making a mark in the box score, it’s safe to assume he’s yearning to contribute at a high level in Italy in February.

Should he keep playing like this, there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind that’s exactly what he’ll do. Team USA lacks the potent goal-scoring the Canadians — who feature elite forward depth with Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and others — possess and will need somebody to step up and take charge. Nelson, the best American goal-scorer of the past two months, seems like the perfect candidate.