Colorado Avalanche: 5 Players Who Must Have Great Playoffs

DENVER, CO - APRIL 17: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate with teammate Mikko Rantanen #96 after his game winning goal against the Calgary Flames in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Flames 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 17: Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate with teammate Mikko Rantanen #96 after his game winning goal against the Calgary Flames in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Flames 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
3 of 6
Next
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 06: Members of the Colorado Avalanche swarm Gabriel Landeskog #92 after he scored the winning goal against the San Jose Sharks in overtime during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 06: Members of the Colorado Avalanche swarm Gabriel Landeskog #92 after he scored the winning goal against the San Jose Sharks in overtime during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Avalanche may very well get a chance at the playoffs this season. These five players need to make the most of it.

The Colorado Avalanche and entire NHL are just about to enter Phase 2, which is the first step in the NHL’s return to play. Whether you think they should return or not, they’re making plans to do just that.

Phase 2 is an easing in period which sees players able to return to team facilities for small-group, informal practices. They don’t even have to return to their own team’s facilities yet. Read more here.

Meanwhile, only 24 teams are returning to play — or an unwieldy 24 teams, depending on how you choose to look at the situation. The 16 bubble teams will have a play-in round to make the playoffs. The top four teams in each conference will play games for seeding. Read more here.

The Colorado Avalanche are second in the Western Conference, so they will make the playoffs regardless. If the NHL season returns, we will see more Avs hockey.

So, since it looks pretty good that that may, indeed, happen, let’s look at some players who have to be great in the playoffs for a variety of reasons.

SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 04: Nikita Zadorov #16 of the Colorado Avalanche gets called for a roughing penalty for pulling Marcus Sorensen #20 of the San Jose Sharks the ice during the thirf period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round.  (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 04: Nikita Zadorov #16 of the Colorado Avalanche gets called for a roughing penalty for pulling Marcus Sorensen #20 of the San Jose Sharks the ice during the thirf period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round.  (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Nikita Zadorov

Defenseman Nikita Zadorov is a restricted free agent this summer. Many Avalanche fans think he’s not returning to the team next season. However, I don’t think that decision has been made yet. Colorado doesn’t have a ready replacement for the kind of hockey he plays.

However, he’s seen to be one step out perhaps because he’s often been in the coaching staff’s bad graces. That’s why he needs to have a strong playoff performance, to show what his worth to the team is.

Because make no mistake, his brand of hockey is worthwhile, especially in the playoffs. Playoff hockey amps up the intensity by several notches. It also ramps up the physicality. Zadorov is one of the most physical players we have, so the Avalanche’s success may well depend on his playing and playing well.

SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 08: Colorado Avalanche forward Tyson Jost (17) celebrates scoring his side’s second goal in the third period during game seven of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks on May 8, 2019 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 08: Colorado Avalanche forward Tyson Jost (17) celebrates scoring his side’s second goal in the third period during game seven of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks on May 8, 2019 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tyson Jost

Another player who needs to make a splash in the playoffs is Tyson Jost. The reasoning for the young forward is similar as for Nikita Zaodorov — he needs to show his place on the team.

Even more so than Zadorov, though, Jost has a place on the team. He’s younger and fits in perfectly with the team’s style of play. The problem has been he hasn’t developed as quickly as some people — especially fans — have liked.

That said, the forward was on a tear right before the season went on pause. What’s more, he’s shown a knack for the playoffs. He has three goals and two assists in the playoffs so far for the Avalanche.

CALGARY, AB – APRIL 11: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Colorado Avalanche in action against the Calgary Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 15, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – APRIL 11: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Colorado Avalanche in action against the Calgary Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 15, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

The Goalie

This one’s a bit of a cheat because it’s two players. However, it’s hard to say which goalie would get the nod in the playoffs. Pavel Francouz was playing — and playing well — when the season went on pause. However, he was only getting so much ice time because Philipp Grubauer was on injured reserve.

Grubauer is supposed to be our starting goalie. And he certainly didn’t disappoint the team in the last playoffs.

Well, regardless, whichever goalie is in net has to be stellar. Goal tending can steal the playoffs. A hot goalie can take his team all the way to Stanley Cup victory.

SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 08: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. The Sharks won the game 3-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 08: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. The Sharks won the game 3-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Mikko Rantanen

Right wing Mikko Rantanen obviously doesn’t have to prove he deserves a spot on the team. Rather, he has to prove he deserves his fat paycheck. The winger is the highest paid player on the team thanks to his contract negotiations last offseason.

It would be unfair to say he hasn’t lived up to expectations this season because he missed 28 games with injuries. In fact, he was on injured reserve when the season went on pause. His 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games weren’t exactly shabby.

However, the Avalanche are going to need him to show his mettle in the playoffs. He’s second only to Nathan MacKinnon as team’s best player — and that’s what the Avs need if they’re going to make a deep playoff run.

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 02: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche advances the puck against the San Jose Sharks in the second period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 02: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche advances the puck against the San Jose Sharks in the second period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Nathan MacKinnon

More from Mile High Sticking

We’ve seen time and again that the Colorado Avalanche go how Nathan MacKinnon goes. He’s not the captain of the team, but he’s the team’s on-ice leader. You only have to look at the entire team’s reaction when he went down with an injury in Game 7 of the second round last year — they were deflated.

The Avs can win without him when they have to, but it’s so much better off when they don’t have to. He’s our MVP, even if the NHL doesn’t want to admit that and award him the Hart Trophy.

What’s more, in every playoffs he’s played in for the Avalanche, he’s recorded at least a point a game — and often more. In the two rounds last year he had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 25 games.

If the Avs have any chance of a deep playoff run and eventual victory, it rests on the shoulder of the wunderkid from Cole Harbour.

Avs Lucky They Didn't Trade for Hall. light. Related Story

The above players can do wonders for the Colorado Avalanche if they have great games in the playoffs, whatever that might look like this season.

Next