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Colorado Avalanche: Weighing San Jose vs Vegas for 2nd Round

By Nadia Archuleta

DENVER, CO - MARCH 27: Colin Wilson #22 of the Colorado Avalanche smiles during the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Pepsi Center on March 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 27: Colin Wilson #22 of the Colorado Avalanche smiles during the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Pepsi Center on March 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche will face either the San Jose Sharks or Vegas Golden Knights in the second round. Which team do you prefer?

The Colorado Avalanche will play the winner of the San Jose Sharks-Vegas Golden Knights series. Game 6 went into double overtime last night. The Sharks won to stave off elimination, so the series will return to San Jose for Game 7 tomorrow, April 23.

Obviously, the Avs cannot affect the outcome of this series. However, while we wait for the outcome, let’s look at the two teams Colorado might face in the second round.

For reference, here are the regular season statistics for the Avs:

Here are the playoffs statistics:

  • Rantanen: 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists)
  • MacKinnon: 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists)
  • Tyson Barrie: 5 points (0 goals, 5 assists)
  • Grubauer: 4-1, .939 save percentage, 1.89 GAA

And the regular season: 38-30-14 for 90 points and the second wild card spot.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks had the better regular season record, so they’re enjoying the home ice advantage. They earned 101 points on a 46-27-9 record.

Regular Season Leaders

Playoff Leaders

  • Erik Karlsson: 7 points (0 goals, 7 assists)
  • Hertl: 6points (5 goals, 1 assist)
  • Couture: 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists)
  • Jones: 3-2. .906 save percentage, 3.23 GAA

Historical Statistics

The Colorado Avalanche went 0-3 against San Jose this season. All-time they’ve gone 53-49-7-5 (ties) against San Jose. However, in the last eight years (going by the longest-tenured Avs player), Colorado has gone 8-13-4.

The Avalanche have faced the Sharks in four playoff series:

  • 1999: Colorado won 4-2
  • 2002: Colorado won 4-3
  • 2004: San Jose won 4-2
  • 2010: San Jose won 4-2

So, essentially, the Avalanche used to play better against the Sharks.

Overall Feeling

As Avs insider Adrian Dater points out, technically the Sharks should be the team Colorado wants to play in the playoffs because they’re old and slow. However, Colorado has been snake-bitten against the Sharks, especially in San Jose.

What I see also is that the Sharks are a stacked team. There is some difference in the scoring leaders between the regular season and playoffs. What gets crazy is if you distinguish the regular season by goals:

They have four 30+ goal scorers to our three and five 60+ points players to our three. In other words, they’re more than a top line and a goalie.

Let’s look at the other option.

Vegas Golden Knights

More from Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Vegas Golden Knights were the third seed in the Pacific Division. Their record was only slightly worse than San Jose’s — 43-32-7 for 93 points.

Regular Season Leaders

Playoffs Leaders

Historical Statistics

The Colorado Avalanche went 2-1 against Vegas this season. All-time — meaning dating back to last season when the Knights were born — Colorado has gone 3-3 against Vegas. The two teams have never met in the playoffs.

Overall Feeling

I just can’t get over the fact that our leading scorer, MacKinnon, had 40 more points than Vegas’ in the regular season. As with San Jose, though, different players are showing up in the postseason than in the regular season.

Nonetheless, I think Colorado has a better chance against Vegas than San Jose. The big detriments are their goons — Ryan Reaves and Brayden McNabb. Also Fleury, who was the main reason Vegas made it to the Stanley Cup Finals last season.

That said, Grubauer is hotter than either goalie, and you know a hot goalie can carry you far in the playoffs.

Next. Cam Morrison to Return to College. dark

Like I said, the Colorado Avalanche have no influence over this series. All we can hope is the two teams play hard against each other, perhaps getting a few extra jabs in during Game 7. If the Avs happened to face an exhausted, broken team in Round 2, even better.

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