St. Louis Blues
The Colorado Avalanche played the St. Louis Blues four times this season. They were set to play them a fifth time for what was going to probably be the game to determine the Western Conference champion. That game, the final home game of the season, was canceled.
The Avs split the two games with St. Louis. They each won at home. The games were high scoring affairs, with Colorado edging out St. Louis by one goal — 15-14.
Nonetheless, the Avs spent most of the season two points behind the Blues for Best in the West. Always with a game in hand, but in the end that got wiped out by the pandemic and resultant cancellation.
Challenges from the Blues
The St. Louis Blues are the reigning Cup champions. Their team is mostly the same from when they won last year. They’re a relentless team who knows how to win.
The Blues will also have one of their great stars back, Vladimir Tarasenko. He missed most of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. However, he’s been cleared to play whenever the season resumes.
Advantages for the Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche didn’t play most of the season without one of their great stars — they played most of the season missing large percentages of their roster. With the exception of Colin Wilson — no official word — every single player has been cleared to play. They’re coming in healthy, and that’s a big boon.
While goalie Philipp Grubauer may beg to differ, the Avalanche don’t mind playing high scoring games. They’ve got plenty of players on the roster who love to score. So, if it becomes a shooting match, Colorado will come with their guns blazing.