AVALANCHE NOTEBOOK: Watch Parties At Ball Arena for Games 3 and 4

So, you want to be part of a Stanley Cup in-arena experience, but you can’t go to Tampa and/or pay exorbitant ticket prices for Games 3 and 4? Just like they did in Round 3 against Edmonton, the Colorado Avalanche are hosting watch parties for the two upcoming games in Tampa.

Ticket prices this time are $20 each, up from $10 last time. The Avalanche are saying all the proceeds will go to Kroenke Sports Charities. Here is more information to get the tickets. I haven’t been there for these, but those who have been there say it’s a lot of fun, with merch and contests and concessions and all that jazz.

For Game 2 tomorrow, a free watch party will again be hosted by the Avalanche outside, at the Tivoli – right across the street from Ball Arena. At 4:15, there also will be a concert there by someone named Griz. More info on that here.

I expect a more physical Lightning team for Game 2. They’re going to try and hit the Avs at every turn. The risk is, penalties. And, the Avalanche could put them away early on the power play. But they’ve got to convert.

Avs are -150 favorites to win Game 2, at SuperBook Colorado. Make sure you check out their odds boosts before games too.

Jared Bednar on Nazem Kadri: “Getting better.”

Bednar: “For me, it’s just narrowing our focus.” Also, Bednar on Kuemper, “For me, I think he did a nice job for us. On the goals we gave up, we had major breakdowns in front of him. Could he have come up with one? Yeah, maybe. But, considering he hadn’t played since May 31st, I thought he did a real nice job for us and looked real sharp in practice today.”

Cale Makar had no shot on net in Game 1, but had seven shots blocked.

Avalanche-Lightning resale ticket prices breaking records.

The view from Tampa: They’re not panicked at all (Tampa Bay Times)