April 7: St. Louis Blues, Home
All-Time Record: 50-36-4-6(ties)
Record This Season: 1-3-0
The Colorado Avalanche’s record this season against the Blues isn’t good — 1-3-0. However, the Avs won the most recent game, on March 15 with a score of 4-1. That game was even in St. Louis. However, the last time the Blues played in the Pepsi Center, on October 19, Colorado lost 4-3.
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Pundits have stated this game between the Avalanche and Blues can well be the decider in who goes to the playoffs. Realistically, the Avalanche could have 96 points by keeping up their tradition of gaining 70% of the points available at home (so three against the Blackhawks and Flyers, though that’s not what I predicted) and 50% available on the road (so three on the Cali road trip).
The Blues are on pace to be at 96 points in this game as well. So, yes, the winner of this game could well determine who gets the playoff berth. And it doesn’t matter, then, if the team wins in regulation, overtime, or the shootout.
Talk about a playoff atmosphere. We’re talking Game 7 type of action.
The Blues are similar to the Sharks in that they don’t have any truly dominant players, but they’re consistently good across their lines. Their goalies aren’t as talented as Semyon Varlamov, but they don’t make egregious errors either. They just annoyingly squeak by.
The Colorado Avalanche are faster, more skilled (overall), and more talented (overall). They’re younger and more exciting — but in bad ways as well as good.
I’m going to give the home ice advantage even though it didn’t work last time the Blues were at the Pepsi Center. That was a different team playing. And this night marks the end of the regular season in front of the Avs’ home crowd. I think the Colorado Avalanche are going to feed off the energy and win a playoff berth in front of the home crowd.
Next: Avs Battling for Trophies
And, let’s face it, Nathan MacKinnon should be the player who scores the game-winning goal.
Best Case Scenario: Avs win, clinch playoffs
Prediction: Avs win, clinch playoffs