Colorado Avalanche: Do You Really Want It?

The Colorado Avalanche are in control of their own destiny. Will they hoist the cup of life?

The Colorado Avalanche have a chance to win the Stanley Cup tonight. In fact, to my mind they must win tonight if they’re going to be crowned the champions. If it goes to a Game 7, I predict the momentum will be too far in Tampa Bay’s favor for the Avalanche to win, even on home ice.

So, it begs the question to the Avs: Do you really want it?

Believe it or not, after the loss, I was listening to some music and Ricky Martin’s “Cup of Life” came on. The song seemed more than apropos. While Martin is singing about the World Cup, let’s be honest — Lord Stanley’s trophy is actually a cup and one that memorializes its winners. When you win the Stanley Cup, your name is literally engraved on it. The Stanley Cup is truly the cup of life.

So, as Ricky asks, do you really want it?

Yes, I know, players dream their whole lives about winning the Stanley Cup. And here the players are, on the brink of winning it. For most of them, it will be the first time ever.

So why the play from Friday night? The players just seemed… off.

Terry Frei, writing for Colorado Hockey Now, had some very interesting observations. The actual Stanley Cup being in the building creates its own presence, an aura that you would think would beckon the players. However, it must also be an intimidating presence when you realize how close you are to realizing your lifelong dreams.

The Colorado Avalanche can do this. They’ve won every single one of their series on the road this postseason. They’re a dominant road team. They’ve also won the Stanley Cup in Florida before. The ice is garbage, but it’s in their DNA to overcome it.

Darcy Kuemper is in net. No sense going over that decision. With any luck it will be his last-ever game as a Colorado Avalanche.

At the time of writing, Andre Burakovsy was a maybe. He flew with the team, but his involvement or lack hadn’t been announced.

It comes down to will. The Avalanche need to impose their will on the game. They need to impose their will on the garbage ice the way Nazem Kadri did in Game 4. Nathan MacKinnon needs to impose his will on every single Tampa defender and the so-called “best goalie in the world.” (I mean, really. Vasilevsky is good, but the second-coming of Patrick Roy he ain’t.)

And Cale Makar… he’s gotta keep doing Cale Maker things. If the thing happens and the MVP trophy gets handed out, how can we imagine anyone else being awarded it?

In short, as Mr. Martin says, no one can hold you back if you really want it.

The Colorado Avalanche are the better team. The move is yours, boys.