Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Avs Are First Team To Finish Regular Season
The Avs’ regular season has come to an end. How many times will they practice before flying to Dallas? Also, the Devils might lose a depth forward before the playoffs begin.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — April 14.
Colorado Hockey Now
What a week it’s going to be. The playoffs are starting this weekend, and we already know the Avalanche are locked into a first-round series against Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars. The Avs could have up to four practices before taking the ice for Game 1.
They’re the only team to complete their regular-season schedule. Nobody else will play their last game until at least Tuesday.
In the process, the anticipation for a potential Gabriel Landeskog return could elevate the excitement for the postseason. The Avs should be fully healthy heading into the playoffs. It sounds like the biggest question mark of the bunch is Ryan Lindgren, although we’ll get an update on his status, along with Josh Manson and the others on Tuesday when the team resumes practice.
Catch the game recap of Sunday’s incredible comeback victory in Anaheim in Game No. 82.
Around The NHL
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pens sleepwalk through a game against Boston. Head coach Mike Sullivan slammed the team’s defensive effort.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils forward Paul Cotter is facing a possible suspension. We should get more information following his hearing with NHL Player Safety later today.
Detroit Hockey Now: Nine straight years without playoff hockey for the Red Wings. Head coach Todd McLellan feels his team took too much for granted.
San Jose Hockey Now: The Flames beat the Sharksย and kept their slim playoff hopes alive. All eyes are on Tuesday’s games.
Ottawa Hockey Now: The Sens clinched the top wildcard seed in the East on Sunday.
Deen’s Daily: Landeskog’s Memorable Night; How Avs Lost Game 3; Toronto In Command!
Flynn’s Takes from Game 3: Avs’ Issues and How to Fix Them
10 Observations: Gabriel Landeskog’s Return Was Spoiled By Dallas — But It Was Still Memorable (+)
Deen’s Daily: Landeskog Returns; Seguin Sinks Avs in OT; Oilers Defensive Troubles
Good & Bad: Landeskog Makes Emotional Return, Avalanche Fall in OT Again
More Than Teammates: Inside the Friendship of Valeri Nichushkin and Mackenzie Blackwood (+)
Landeskog’s Potential Return Has NHL Talking
Avalanche Excited to Have Gabe Landeskog Back
Practice Report: Landeskog Takes Part In Avalanche’s Full-Team Practice
10 Observations: Avalanche Sent a Message in Game 1 Rout of Stars (+)
What’s the status on Drouin? I’m assuming Manson will be a no go for the first round. He’s been injured a lot lately. And will Landeskog play in Round 1? If so, what do you believe the line combinations will be?
My prediction: Drouin – MacKinnon – Nichushkin Landeskog – Nelson – Necas Lehkonen – Coyle – Colton Kelly – Drury – O’Connor With Landy possibly back, I think the big question (aside from whether he or Lehky plays on the 3rd line) is who gets the 4th line LW spot. I would lean Kelly due to his versatility, but there’s definitely an argument for Kiviranta taking that spot. Wood and Vesey may also have arguments, but I feel it’s pretty much between Kelly and Kivi, with OC locked in on the right side of Drury. Regardless, what a great problem… Read more »
I can’t see sitting Kivy over Kelly. Nothing against Kelly but Kivy is too valuable on the PK plus his forechecking ability. My guess is maybe both play as I haven’t heard a peep about Drouin and just like Manson, he maybe injured throughout the playoffs. I just don’t have any faith in Drouin’s or Manson’s ability to stay healthy. Manson is a real liability when he isn’t 100%.
I’d actually say Kelly is the more valuable penalty killer, because he’s a solid face-off guy. I believe he also leads the team in blocked shots. I would give Kivi the edge offensively, and you’re right that he’s very good on the forecheck. I would give Kelly the edge defensively, and based on his versatility. So it may come down to which skill set the coaches feel they need from game to game. They’re both valuable, though, that’s the good thing.
If drouin lindgren manson are out My guess is
Colton mack nuke
Lekhonen Nelson necas
Wood coyle kiviranta
Loc Drury kelly
Toews makar
Girard malinski
Middleton EJ
I put wood instead of landy cause no one knows if he will be ready for game 1
Considering it would be landeskog 1st game back in the nhl i could see him playing with coyle and colton to get acclimated.
The good thing about a week off is the avs can regroup, rehab there injuries and get mentally prepared. This will be a potential 7 game series. If everyone is healthy and firing on all cylinders then we should win.
If all the forwards are healthy, the big question is does Landeskog start or is he a healthy scratch and continues practicing to get into shape? The other question will be which lineup iteration does Bednar go with? I think the bottom 6, not including Landeskog, is set, with the only possible move being Wood for Kiviranta. As long as everyone is healthy, I see the Kelly-Drury-O’Connor line being the one set in stone. Once you have injuries or how Game 1 goes, then things could change. The top 6 is the one that could still be mixed up. Does… Read more »