Colorado Avalanche: Advice for Game 3

The Colorado Avalanche are in the unenviable position of needing to win four of their next five games. Here’s how they can do it.

The Colorado Avalanche are in a pickle of their own making. Even though they had home ice advantage, which means the coaches had the final change, they’re down 2-0 in the second-round series to the Dallas Stars.

That’s a tough situation to be in. Teams that go down 2-0 in a series historically don’t do well. The record is 51-324. But let’s not focus on that because series go seven games for a reason. You have to win four to win the series — you don’t just get awarded the series win for two won games in a row.

These games are difficult to win for a reason. And I can tell you, I’m really depressed thinking about this being the end of the road for the Avalanche. The future is so uncertain. We know we can’t start asking “Is it October yet” because the season definitely won’t start on time. Can we ask “Is it November yet”? Probably not. December? If we’re lucky, but I seriously think the 2020-21 season is going to actually be the 2021 season. I don’t think we’re going to get any more hockey in 2020 beyond the bubble.

So the Avs can’t exit the bubble. And not like this, not from a team they’re better than. Not from a team whose coach was whining about life in the bubble. Not this team, that’s so cohesive.

So, the Avalanche absolutely cannot, in any way shape or form, lose Game 3. So, let’s look at some advice to see our team extend their season.

Take the Lead

The Colorado Avalanche can beat any team in the NHL in a foot race. So, they need to come out of the gate like they did in Game 2 — with their feet moving.

A lot of things are difficult right now because of two key injuries, to their starting goalie (Philipp Grubauer) and captain of the defense (Erik Johnson). Well, it doesn’t look like either of those players is returning — they’re not at all in this series. Since that’s a big part of their defense, they need to take the lead first.

Keep the Lead

The Avalanche did take the lead in Game 2. They did it the way they should. Going into the first intermission, they were outshooting the Stars 3-1.

A series of unfortunate events — some avoidable, some not — led to five unanswered goals by the Dallas Stars. The Stars seem to be making that their brand.

Well, time for Avalanche to mess with Texas. They have it in them to be merciless. You take a lead? Be relentless. Don’t let your foot off the gas pedal unless you’re up eight goals and there’s five seconds less. Then and only then can they lighten up.

Get Physical

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The Avs outshot the Stars 3-1, at least at first. By the end of the game, Dallas had out-hit Colorado 2-1. Playoff hockey is physical — no team is going to make it without grinding away at the other team.

What’s more, the Stars have shown willing to play dirty. I never want to advocate for dirty playing, but Colorado can’t stay squeaky clean either.

The caveat here is they have to stay out of the penalty box. While their penalty kill is great, it’s not a good way to get the lead and keep it.

Play Your Game

When the Colorado Avalanche play their game, with speed, they’re  nearly unstoppable. They put pucks on net and just keep shelling the goalie until said pucks go in. That’s a successful — and exciting — brand of hockey. The cutesy game, though? That has to stop. Ugly goals count the same as pretty ones.

In Game 2, the Avalanche also got knocked off their game. That series of unfortunate events seemed to get into their heads, and they lost the game themselves. No matter what happens, they have to do what they promised in their PR for this playoffs — be unwavering.

I love hype videos.

The Colorado Avalanche will play Game 3 today at 8:30 MDT. They really need to take this game today — and decisively. Fifty-one other teams found a way to make a comeback from such a daunting deficit. Time to make it 52.