Colorado Avalanche: Three Wishes For the Team at the Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche are back in the playoffs, and the near future is looking surprisingly bright, but there are a few things this playoff run should have.

After a regular season full of ups and downs, the Colorado Avalanche are back in the playoffs – we can all breathe again. And what do you know: they have some really good chances of making it past the first round. Plus, the Avs vs Flames series is considered as one of the most exciting ones, so you really don’t want to miss any of these games.

Just like with Christmas, I have some wishes for the team during this (wonderful?) time of the hockey-year. Nothing too fancy, nothing too demanding, just three (3) simple things that would be extra nice to see during the Avs’ post-season.

3. More Ryan Graves.

CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 9: Mark Jankowski #77 of the Calgary Flames battles against Ryan Graves #27 of the Colorado Avalanche at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 9, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

At this point in time, I should probably create the “Ryan Graves Defense League”, but maybe another day.

There’s a reason why Graves hasn’t been sent back to the Colorado Eagles, right? There’s a reason why they’re keeping him for the playoffs, right? Ryan Graves shouldn’t stay as a “backup” or “healthy scratch”, what’s the point on having a young, talented defenseman sitting on the bench?

We all remember when he was part of the line-up game after game, paired with none other than Tyson Barrie (and Patrik Nemeth, but I like the Graves-Barrie pair a lot more). There’s a special feeling and fire that comes with the playoffs, and I am convinced we could see the best of Ryan Graves if Bednar gives him a chance in at least one game. Please consider.

2. Have mercy on your goalies.

CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 09: Colorado Avalanche Goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) plays the puck to Left Wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during the third period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the Colorado Avalanche on January 9, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

I can’t stress this enough: do not burn your goalie out. Grubauer is on a roll? Great! We love him! But don’t overuse him, this is really not the time for the team to have an exhausted goalie on the net, and the last thing we want is for him to get injured (enter: flashback to last year’s playoffs).

Find some balance. Both goalies are good, and when they’re focused (I may or may not be looking at Semyon Varlamov while saying that) they are unbreakable. This, along with well-rested, well-fed, happy, focused defensemen (the hockey Gods know our D-men sometimes are not exactly awake) will make the Avs the Flames’ new nightmare.

And just for the record (and for those into stats and all that jazz), Philipp Grubauer finished the regular season with 89 goals against and a save percentage of .917, all in 37 games played (33 started). Semyon Varlamov had a total of 136 goals against and a save percentage of .909 in 49 games played. Do whatever you want with that.

1. Have fun!

CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 9: The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after a goal against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 9, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

It’s the playoffs! You made it! The least you can do is have fun!

Whatever the outcome, whatever the odds, having fun should be the most important thing in mind during the first round. The future is uncertain, and no team (ok probably Tampa and Tampa only) has a guaranteed place in the playoffs next year. Go with it, enjoy it, have fun! You will worry once you make it to the Conference Final.

Next. Avalanche: Four Keys to Beating the Flames in Round 1. dark

The Colorado Avalanche will begin their playoff run against the Calgary Flames on Thursday, April 11. May the force be with us all.

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