Colorado Avalanche’s Jitters Cost Them in Game One
By Anthony Noga
The Colorado Avalanche played nervous in their first playoff game, and the Nashville Predators made them pay.
The Colorado Avalanche didn’t look comfortable in game one of their playoff series against the Nashville Predators. Jitters, nerves, stage-fright, squeezing the stick, whatever you want to call it, the boys just did not look crisp most of the night.
And that’s fine. As long as they got it out of their system.
The league’s youngest team got their first collective taste of playoff hockey. And despite running around, fumbling the puck and bobbling passes, they could well have come away with a 1-0 series lead.
Instead, they’re trailing, but with another chance to steal home ice advantage from the President’s Trophy winning Predators.
Failed Chemistry
It was clear pretty early which team was in its first playoff game in four years. The Colorado Avalanche spent a lot of game one flubbing the puck. Passes were off the mark, players were fanning on shots, and most of the guys just looked unsure of themselves.
Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Barrie, two of Colorado’s smoothest criminals, looked like their hands turned to stone. Of course Rantanen had a gorgeous breakaway, and Barrie had some help from Ryan Johansen’s clone of the hit that inspired the ‘blind side head shot’ rule clean hockey play.
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And they weren’t alone.
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Up and down the line-up, guys were rushing or forcing plays and mismanaging the puck. There’s no better example than Mark Barberio’s failed clearing attempt that led directly to the second Nashville goal. Even the usually lethal top line looked a little bit disjointed.
It was like the chemistry the team developed throughout the year evaporated.
And still they could have won. The Colorado Avalanche were a couple of close calls away from hanging four goals on the likely Vezina Trophy candidate Pekka Rinne. JT Compher nearly rolled one in off Rinne’s shoulder, and Colin Wilson looked like he had to remember what team he played for when he had the chance to bury the rebound. Rantanen’s breakaway had me mimicking Mike Haynes and asking how did that not go in.
If only they had their hands.
The one notable exception was Samuel Girard. The unflappable kid probably looked more comfortable than anyone else for the Colorado Avalanche. Even after the Predators got a few good licks on him in the corners. Even after Filip Forsberg showed why he’s one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.
Girard’s play in game one was reminiscent of Barrie’s play in Colorado’s last playoff berth. The teenager looks ready to take over a game, if not the series. It’s looking more and more like the Avalanche got a real gem in this kid. The last two games have been two of his best, and when it matters the most.
Now if only his youthful poise would temper the veteran exuberance.
Conclusion
The Colorado Avalanche played a sloppy, nervous game – and had every chance to win. They didn’t get blown out, as the final score might suggest, but hung right with the league’s top team. A little bit more luck, and/or opportunism, there could well be piles of articles asking if there’s an upset in the making.
The Avalanche were their own worst enemy in game one. Here’s hoping the other players take a cue from their teenage rookie and come out more relaxed in the next one. And if they do, they might just head back to Denver with the chance to pull ahead in the series.