It would seem to me the Avalanche can't make it past the 2nd round. Some reason my mind decided to think that last year the Avs were in the West Finals. No they were in the 2nd round and got booted by Dallas in 7. That was a terrific series that the Avalanche should have won.
And now Vegas beat the Avs in six. And I just wonder what they need to do differently. Sammy Girard was god awful in the whole Vegas series. Vegas forecheck was too aggressive and physical for the Avalanche to handle. And that leads me to my next point the MacKinnon line was stymied. They tried scoring and were shut down by the Knights. After game 3 it unraveled for Colorado. And it was disheartening because this defense was quite elite I'd say. Devin Toews was terrific for Colorado. I think. And also our blue line was very good against the Blues. Grubauer did not hold up in the Vegas series. He was not the same Grub in the Blues series and it showed. Some soft goals should never be allowed in. But the Avs got some serious unlucky bounces and some horrendous calls that if they go the other way, could have pushed it to game 7 at least. Game 6 in my opinion was a tremendously flat hockey game by Colorado. You can't turn the puck over in the playoffs. How many damn times do I have to say this. Against the Knights who do have talent and skaters will kill you. So what are the Canadiens doing from the third period I saw--they are holding on for dear life in the d-zone lol. They really are. TUCH was a monster away from the puck. He moved without it and got into some nasty shooting lanes to create hell for the Avs. They can flat out fly when they are in the neutral zone. The Avs had more speed but the physicality wore us down. Against big bodies you have to check them back. If it is a physical series , Colorado typically cannot handle that brand of hockey. They skate fast and shoot faster. But in a grindy series you have to check Tuck, Pietrangelo, and the rest. You have to hit them in the mouth. Not punch them but hit them in the mouth. The more physical the better. Now, far as I can tell the Habs can be physical. They have Suzuki who can shoot the puck . They have a new kid on that line I have never heard of. A college kid. Cole Caulfield who I should look out for. Apparently, he has a fan in JJ Watt? Craziness.
I really hope the Habs can beat the Knights . But it was a reason the Knights were #2 in the West. They have skaters. Are physical and can also lean on the netminder Marc-Andre-Fleury. He was okay against the Avs and is older. You can see it in his play. In his prime he was monster for the Pens.
If the Habs do win . This series is going 7.
Coming back to Colorado Sports. The Nuggets lost Murray and any chance of a deep run. They ran out of gas to a better Suns team. With Murray it is a way different story. But Aaron Gordon and the rest could not help the Joker. So pure disappointment for the Avs and Nuggets. I am glad I am writing this because it hurts not seeing either of them accomplish anything huge. Next year? Mackinnion met the press and was like I have not won shit. And he'd trade all his individual awards for a cup. I feel your pain Mackinnion. It has been since 2001 since the Avs hoisted a cup. It is 2021. So you do the math. One day they will hoist one. Back to work for Colorado. Not sure who they will keep. I hope Toews. I like his veterancy and leadership for this young group. Maybe Colorado can add Eichel? I dunno. But I hope they get over the hump of round 2. These disappointing losses are lighting a fire under Colorado though. And it will push them to win a cup.
**According to ESPN, NHL.com
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