Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche Await Opponent, As Stars/Knights Going Seven
Will it be the Dallas Stars or the Vegas Golden Knights in round two for the Colorado Avalanche? After three straight wins heading into Friday’s Game Six, I thought we’d all be booking our flights to Dallas by the end of the night.
The defending Stanley Cup champions had other ideas.
Vegas locked things down defensively, and got a strong performance in net by Adin Hill, winning 2-0 on home-ice Friday to force a Game Seven. That Game Seven will take place on Sunday night in Dallas, with the Avalanche awaiting the winner in round two.
There are pros and cons to each opponent from Colorado’s perspective. If Vegas wins, the Avalanche will have home-ice advantage in round two, something they would definitely prefer. On the flip side, for whatever reason, I think they match up better against Dallas, despite them being the better of the two teams. Regardless of who they end up playing, there are two people who are probably really happy the Avalanche will have to wait a few days to find out their opponent.
Joel Kiviranta and Jonathan Drouin.
The two wingers will now get a few extra days to get healthy prior to the start of round two. Drouin isn’t going to be ready for the start of the series, no matter when it starts, but with Vegas forcing a Game Seven, it might buy him enough time to be able to return before the Conference Finals.
Kiviranta is the closer of the two to returning, as he started skating on Friday afternoon. He didn’t look super comfortable from my point of view, but now he gets 1-2 more days to heal up. That might be just what he needs to feel strong enough to return for Game One.
Colorado will practice again on Saturday, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they get another day off on Sunday. Vegas and Dallas going to a Game Seven gives them that luxury. Jared Bednar now has some flexibility with a few extra days off.
The NHL hasn’t given us an either/or schedule for round two, so we’ll all be waiting around on Sunday night to see when the Avalanche actually play next. Stay tuned to Colorado Hockey Now for a full schedule and breakdown of Colorado’s round two opponent when we have some more clarity on the situation.
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I keep going back and forth between who I’d rather face. Home ice would be nice, particularly because playing at altitude makes it much harder for the road team. However, this team has historically played very well on the road in the playoffs. Dallas is the better of the two teams, with a much better goalie. However, Vegas is a more scary team that comes with a championship pedigree. The Avs played very well against both teams this regular season, but have had gut-wrenching losses to both in recent post seasons. Ultimately, for me it comes down to really disliking… Read more »
I’d rather have home ice, if possible. Either Vegas or the Stars will be a handful but a seventh game will take some starch out of both teams. I’m thinking Game 1 on Wednesday as I just don’t see less than a two day rest from the NHL. Tuesday, at the earliest, for sure. Go Avs!
Is there any update on landeskog. Is he coming back in 3rd rd or potentially cup final?
No official updates other than that he’s skating harder now. I’m with Evan in that I do not anticipate seeing him in these playoffs. If he starts taking full practices with the team let alone take any contact.
I agree with Joe–this is a tough one to call. Home ice is good but Vegas looks like a better team in the games I have watched in this series. Dallas looks tired, maybe because of some aging players. I think Vegas is the more dangerous team right now. Good games by both goalies. Not much Av’s news right now, Evan. How about a plus/minus on the two teams?
Regardless who the Avs face in round 2, the difference is going to be Girard. He was the main reason both teams ousted the Avs in the playoffs a few years back when the Avs were the better team and deserved to move on. Only clueless management and a crazy head coach would approve putting him in the lineup. He will be walloped for breakfast by the big guys on both teams. What can Girard do against Ben, Stone and Eichel, to name a few. I do not hate Girard personally but I’m sorry people, midgets just don’t belong in… Read more »
On a positive note, you seem to like cats.
And Alexander as well. (*wink *wink)
Just in case anybody thinks this is remotely true, in 2020 we were down to our FOURTH goalie and still forced 7 against Dallas. In 2021 Kadri got suspended 8 games and we didn’t have a 2C against Vegas, not having a 2C was showcased well in last year’s playoffs and this season before we got Mitts.
Ya, people. Watch that game 7 and tell me who stunk the joint?