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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d25439605bd028fe8c4ebc510789b93fd956ee286247f05e4197b7b379bd9820.jpg)
Nathan MacKinnon
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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.
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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.