Last season, through 6 games the Avs were 1-4-1, while not playing good hockey in any facet of the game (in my opinion, that is)...this year through 6 we're 2-3-1 (and could easily be 3-2-1 if it weren't for the 3rd period meltdown in game 1). Some may look at that as only a marginal improvement, but I still think considering the turnover the roster had overall, while being young in key places (20 y/o MacKinnon back at Center, and 20 y/o Zadorov) that there is big improvements. I do think the defensive play is trending in the right direction over the last 3 games, and if they had won against Carolina, people would have looked at the Advanced Stats as a big positive while producing a "W". I don't claim to know much about them, but the people I trust that do, have said that they Avs pretty much controlled that game, they just ran into a Goaltender who stole the game for his team...it happens, we should know better than most teams that a goalie can steal games for your team (hello, Varly).
If they can keep up a level of play similar to the last 3, while getting the offense going (for the love of god, shoot the puck instead of always looking for the "pretty" play!), then I think they'll hit a nice run. Yeah, it sucks we're in the Central, but the Avs are a capable team, they have the talent, and the last 3 games have been a step in the right direction (however large or small people want to view that step), they just need to keep taking them.