Colorado Avalanche Can Win Game 7: Here’s Why
The Colorado Avalanche can get one step closer to winning the Stanley Cup by beating the Sharks in San Jose. Obviously, it’s a must-win game.
The Colorado Avalanche have it in them to win Game 7 and even, dare I say it, the whole enchilada.
A couple weeks ago my brother-in-law, who was returning from abroad, asked how the Avs were doing. When I told them they were in the second round and doing well, he asked, “Can they win the Stanley Cup this year?”
My first response was to demure and say, “No, no, they’re still rebuilding and learning.” However, I stopped myself. They had a hot goalie and a hot top line, with some secondary scoring pitching in. Maybe, just maybe they could win it all.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. The Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy in the world to win. Teams have to endure two months of grinding physical play to win a total of four best-of-seven series. The Stanley Cup most certainly goes to the best team.
However, we’re talking about Game 7 of the second round right now. The game is a literal must-win for both teams. It’s the most nerve-wracking of games in any round. But I think the Colorado Avalanche could just steal it. Here’s why.
Hot Goalie
The old cliche is that a hot goalie can take you far — even all the way — in the playoffs. We’ve seen it played out time and again.
Philipp Grubauer hasn’t been the dominant goalie he was in the first round. Except, you know, for that Game 4 shutout at home. Grubauer has looked like a more than capable goalie, though, one who can make the key saves and even the occasional spectacular save.
Of course, Philipp himself is no fan of spectacular saves. He believes he should be in correct position to make all saves look routine. German precision for you.
Secondary Scoring
Forward J.T. Compher earned two goals and an assist in Game 6. He’s not named MacKinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, or even Barrie, so that counts as secondary scoring. Tyson Jost earned a goal each in Games 5 and 6.
Colin Wilson has two goals and an assist in the Sharks series. So does Matthew Nieto. Overall, players beyond the top line have been contributing.
The Sharks’ defense is based on swarming the puck-carrier, especially when he’s named Nathan MacKinnon. So, it’s good to know some other guys can contribute.
Top Line
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At the end of the day, MacKinnon is still MacKinnon. Opponents’ best defenders have been on him like white on rice since his peewee days. He’s still got the magic, and he still manages to score.
Mikko Rantanen took a gigantic butt-on-thigh hit from Brent Burns, and let me tell you, I’m about sick of that deranged Sasquatch. Just because it looks like Gritty is your long-lost uncle doesn’t mean you have to take your inequalities out on our players. Anyway, he seemed to shake off the hit, and I’m sure he can get back to contributing.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog had been snake-bitten for most of the series. However, he scored the oh-so-exciting game-winner in overtime on Monday. Hopefully that gives the team momentum.
Momentum
And that’s what ultimately gives the Colorado Avalanche an advantage in Game 7 — momentum. They’re coming in hot from the buzz of winning in overtime at home.
Momentum can count for a lot. It may not win you the Cup, but it can win you a Game 7 and, therefore, a series.
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As Avs insider Adrian Dater says, you don’t wait your turn to win the Stanley Cup. If you have the luck and mojo to win it now, go all out.
It’s going to take more than luck and mojo for the Colorado Avalanche to win the Stanley Cup. But Game 7? Coupled with their other qualities? I think the Avs can just pull it off.