Avalanche Edmonton Journal: Nathan MacKinnon ready to dial things up

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Hello from Edmonton, where I remain, ready to cover Round 1 of the Avalanche’s playoff run, against Arizona. As always, thanks to everyone who has chipped in on the Avalanche Travel Tip Jar, helping to make this long stay possible. Don’t let me dissuade you from adding to it if you want. Remember, 5% will go back to the Thornton Food Bank, as always.

Not a whole lot of news to report today. The Avalanche had a practice here, with a Zoom session afterward.

I asked Jared Bednar two questions, one of which was, essentially: “Are you still thinking about who will be your starting goaltender?” The answer was “No I’m not.”

So, Bednar knows who will start in net for Game 1 against the Coyotes. The betting here is that it will be Philipp Grubauer, but is that a 100% lock? Suddenly, I’m not so sure about that. Yet, I think Bednar believes in fairness, and I don’t think Grubi played himself out of the starting job with that loss Saturday to Vegas. Was Grubi brilliant? Nope. But one goal was a penalty shot and one goal was off a giveaway in a 3-on-3 overtime. Arguably, he was interfered with on another goal.

So, I think it’ll be Grubi, but it’ll be a pretty short leash I imagine.

I also asked Bednar what he thought about all the early afternoon start times to start this series. No night games, at least through the first four games. The latest start time the Avs will face here is 3:30 p.m. (it’s mountain time here), in Games 1-4.

“I don’t think it’s an advantage to our team or to Arizona’s team, but I do like it,” Bednar told Colorado Hockey Now. “Just being able to get up at a decent time, start getting prepared and playing an early afternoon or mid-afternoon game is nice. I think not having to sit around all day and play an 8:30 start is (nice). We’ve kind of been on this same schedule through the round-robin and we’re kind of sticking to it now. I like it and I think our players like it.”

Nathan MacKinnon, sporting a “NZ” cap in honor of teammate Nikita Zadorov and his lifestyle-brand company, said he is feeling good about himself and his team entering round 1.

“Personally, I feel very comfortable. This is my fourth playoffs now, and third straight with everyone else,” MacKinnon said. “I feel good, and hopefully I can be a good who has a good first round.”

Asked about the Coyotes, Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson said, “They’re a stingy team. They don’t give up a whole lot. But they can also score some goals. Their goalie (Darcy Kuemper) has been playing really, really well. So, we’re looking forward to the challenge.”