The Colorado Avalanche need to overcome the one-game series lead and beat the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center.
The Colorado Avalanche face what’s the series equivalent of the dreaded two-goal lead — the one-game lead in the playoffs. The Avs are leading the series 2-1.
Some might say the Flames have Colorado right where they want them. With a two-goal lead comes some complacency. With a one-game lead, same.
I’m not going to say that, though. The Avs came out like the Avs of the slump in Game 1. They came out like the Avs that drove themselves to the playoffs the last month in Game 2.
They came out like the dominating force that they started the season as in Game 3. They made the Calgary Flames look like the team that had just slid into the playoffs in the last couple games rather than the Conference winners.
Well, we’ve now replayed the three phases of the regular season in our first three playoffs games. What will tonight bring. Victory, we hope. Let’s look at some keys that can help the Avalanche keep up their winning ways.
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: April 17, 8:00 pm MT
TV Networks: Altitude, NBCSN
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)
Home Ice Advantage
The Colorado Avalanche usually have the advantage of altitude because we’re one mile high. The Pepsi Center is the highest arena in hockey.
Unfortunately, Calgary’s Saddledome is the second highest. Calgary is 3,428 to our 5,280.
Doesn’t matter. Our home ice advantage can still come from the traditional area — the so-called fifth line. The fans.
As fans, we can’t have a marked influence on the game. However, we can come in and provide the energy that helps fuel our home players.
In the regular season, that’s tough. During the playoffs, though, Avs fans come out of the woodwork. I was at the game on Monday night. The atmosphere was electric. We were all screaming to provide inspiration for out warriors, the Avalanche players.
According to Avs insider Adrian Dater, who’s covered the team since they moved here from Quebec, we were succesful:
I’ve gotta say this about the game last night too: the crowd was the loudest, most engaged group I’ve seen since Game 7, 2001
— Adrian Dater (@adater) April 16, 2019
That’s some high praise. Game 7 is the night the Avs won the Cup for the second time.
We’ve got to bring that energy to Pepsi Center once again. And if you’re watching from home, send the vibes through the TV screen.
All Hail Savior Makar
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Cale Makar… is an NHL player. On Saturday evening he was playing college hockey, and just over 48 hours later, he was playing NHL hockey. And not just NHL hockey — playoff hockey.
And not just playing — succeeding at. He took about two shifts to find his NHL legs, and then it was on like Donkey Kong.
He is our new X factor.
Now, before we get all het up and put all our eggs in the Makar basket, lets remember the kid is 20 and playing on a team. I’m deliberate in calling him our savior in the header. He’s not — he’s our very generous consolation prize for the 48-point season.
Hopefully the Flames are still trying to figure him out. Tonight will be only his second-ever NHL game. They, like us, don’t know too much about what he can do at this level. But the mystery is to our advantage.
If the Colorado Avalanche win tonight, they’ve basically nullified home ice advantage. Hey, the Columbus Blue Jackets swept the Presidents’ Trophy Tampa Bay Lightning. Get a ticket to the dance, and take your chance.