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) /

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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.

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