Colorado Avalanche Need to Play UP to the Golden Knights
The Colorado Avalanche need to play up to the Vegas Golden Knights to steal an important two points in their quest for a playoff berth.
The Colorado Avalanche are in the home stretch, and fittingly, that begins with a two-game home stand. Tonight they face the red-hot Vegas Golden Knights. A big two points is on the line, two points that mean everything to the Avs and something to a Knights squad looking to clinch their playoff berth.
The Avalanche have been playing playoff hockey for about a month now. I’d discounted them half a month ago, but they’ve clawed their way back into the conversation with a 6-3-1 record in the last 10 games.
The Knights have been 7-2-1 in their last 10. They’re coming off a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, so they’re going to be hungry.
Well, these games are nothing if not exciting. Vegas is a good team that only got better at the deadline. The Avalanche are not a better team than Vegas, but they certainly have the capability of playing up to their competition.
Let’s look at how they can do that tonight.
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: Mar 27, 8:00 pm MT
TV Networks: NBCSN*
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)
*Because Knights 😒
Nathan MacKinnon Show
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At times like this, when everything is on the line, you need your best players to be the best. At the best of times, Nathan MacKinnon is our best player. With neither Gabriel Landeskog nor Mikko Rantanen playing, MacKinnon is even more important.
Last season MacKinnon was our MVP hands down. He was electric every time he took the ice. We all moved to the edge of our seats when he had the puck, and most of us were jumping up if he got near the opponent net.
That’s the Nate we need to see again. He’s shown up only in flashes the last few games. We need some sustained MacKinnon Magick.
Fast Skating
We all know MacK is fast. Well, he’s not the only one. The Colorado Avalanche are a team built for speed. When the Avs are flying, they’re almost impossible to catch.
Here is where home ice advantage can come into play. If the Avalanche keep the pace of the game high, Vegas might succumb to the higher altitude. If they’re trying to match speed, they may end up sucking air instead of oxygen.
Play a Full 60
Vegas is not a team that takes the foot of the pedal. Gerard Gallant deservedly won the Jack Adams Trophy for coach of the year last season, and he most certainly is not succumbing to the Year 2 Curse. His players play for him a full 60.
Well, Colorado has to match that intensity. None of this Cardiac Kids crap — that’s so 2014. They started out the season playing “tidy” hockey, and it got them off to one of the hottest starts they’ve enjoyed in a decade.
Let’s return to that. There’s so much parity in the NHL now. If Colorado can play their game in their barn, they just might steal the needed two points from tonight’s game.
Next. Playoff Push into the Final 6. dark
After tonight, the Colorado Avalanche have one of their most important games of the season when they host the Arizona Coyotes, with whom they’re fighting for that final playoff berth.