Colorado Avalanche: 5 Players Who Must Have Great Playoffs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.