The Colorado Avalanche head into Game 3 of their first-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs against the LA Kings thinking: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
That should be the approach that coach Jared Bednar will take into his lineup on Thursday night. Despite scoring just four goals, the team has been playing well. The Kings have taken it on themselves to limit the damage Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar can do against them.
The plan has been to force the Avalanche’s depth to step up. And that’s exactly what’s happened. In Game 1, the hero was Logan O’Connor. The hero in Game 2 was Nic Roy. All four lines have been producing, with the overall feeling that the Kings have been on their heels for much of the series.
That’s why there should be little lineup churn for Game 3. Here’s a look at what the lines could look like:
- Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas
- Kelly-Nelson-Nichushkin
- Landeskog-Kadri-Roy
- Kiviranta-Drury-O’Connor
Now, here’s a look at the defense pairings:
- Toews-Makar
- Burns-Manson
- Kulak-Malinski
Avalanche may face question in the crease
So, the only question that the Avalanche might face is in the crease. Scott Wedgewood has been sensational thus far. But there might be a desire to get MacKenzie Blackwood some ice time this postseason.
Sitting Wedgewood in Game 3 in favor of Blackwood is unlikely. If anything, Bednar will roll with Wedgewood in Game 3, as planned. If the Avs jump out to a 3-0 series lead, Blackwood could get the call for Game 4.
That’s just an observation. There’s no reason to suggest that Wedgewood would be sitting. In fact, the Avalanche would have an incentive to sweep the series. With the Stars-Wild series looking increasingly like a war of attrition, there would certainly be a desire to end the series early.
That’s why, as hyperbolic as it may sound, Game 3 is a must-win for the Colorado Avalanche. A win on Thursday night pretty much puts the series on ice. A loss would needlessly extend the series.
The Avalanche meet the Kings at Crypto.com Arena at 8 pm MST.
Add us as a preferred source on Google