The Colorado Avalanche have looked dominant in each of their wins against the Dallas Stars this postseason. Colorado raced out to an early lead, blasting Dallas 5-1 in Game 1. Dropping the next two matchups in a pair of heart-rending overtime losses could have been a back-breaker, but, it wasn't. The Avalanche responded with another convincing beatdown, blanking the Stars in Game 4, 4-0.
All told, the Avalanche have been playing better hockey than their bitter rival. I don't think it's unfair to say that only one of these teams could have believably taken all four contests. Yes, Colorado lost leads and had a particularly brutal night on special teams in Game 3. Still, the fact remains that they were one fortunate bounce away from another win even in that scenario.
This is not like last year
Obviously, the roster turnover is tremendous if we are comparing last season's second round exit. Listing all the different pieces isn't even the point for Avalanche fans. We know these facts. The goalies are different, our captain is back, Valeri Nichushkin is in the lineup again.
All of these factors mean that Colorado can better focus on exorcising the demons of last season. Another major statistical change that jumps off the stat sheet, the Colorado Avalanche have only trailed in this series for something like one minute and forty seconds! That was a mere blip in the second period of Game 2, before Colorado evened the score once more.
Compare that reality to last postseason, where it felt like the complete opposite was true. Colorado felt perpetually struggling to gain any positive momentum. Even in games or not, that is a tantalizing statistical tilt to have reversed.
Nathan MacKinnon is continuing his stellar play, and that too is fantastic news. The reigning MVP has a team-best five points (4 goals, and 1 assist). But looking at the rest of the Avalanche playoff point leaders is surprising.
Logan O'Conner is playing the best hockey of his life. He is tied with MacKinnon at 5 points total. Of course we at MHS are thrilled for LOC being an unexpected hero. All Avs' fans love our shorty-scoring short king. But did you know just how unprecedented this outburst has been? O'Conner has now scored as many points in four games this postseason as he has in his entire playoff career. LOC has exactly 10 points in 35 playoff games all-time.
After the goal to take the lead on Saturday, I joked with friends that Logan would win the Conn Smythe. While that might only happen on my Xbox or in my dreams, an unlikely playoff-riser is always a good sign in my book.
Getting back to the next to Avalanche players on the points leaderboard, you'll see Jonathan Drouin and Samuel Girard tied for second on the team with three points each. Again, I am happy for those guys getting involved. It is gratifying to see Drouin succeed after last season's health issues. Likewise, readers know how much I love Sammy G. One of my favorite articles I've written is all about how Girard rose to the occasion this season and became indispensable.
Heck, the captain himself, Gabriel Landeskog has already had immense impact in just two games following his triumphant return. Even more than his two huge points in Saturday's win shows, Landy has changed the look of the team. His presence in front of the net is everything the Avs' could ask for and more.
Still, the names you don't see near the top of the list are almost as intriguing for their absence. I feel that the Colorado Avalanche have some as yet quiet giants who could emerge at any moment to break this series wide open in favor of the burgundy and blue.
Avalanche star players lurking
I might have been having a little fun suggesting Logan O'Conner would win the Conn Smythe. But you know who has already captured the prize for the postseason MVP? Cale Douglas Makar. Only the best defenseman on the planet, who so far has only tallied two helpers in the series.
To be completely honest I don't think Makar was playing all that great through the first three contests. The fact that he had his best game, at least according to my eye-test, in Game 4, where he didn't get a point, is interesting.
I do think he was fully engaged in all facets on Saturday. If I were a betting man, I'd certainly throw some money down on him tonight. Cale Makar has playoff pedigree like few at his position. Makar has 21 goals and 61 assists in 76 total appearances. That's 82 points total, fairly easily eclipsing a point per game pace. There aren't many players who you could say this about, but no points in two games? That suggests Makar is due for a breakout.
Speaking of breakouts, Valeri Nichushkin had nine goals and one assist in just eight playoff games last year, before his ill-fated suspension. That torrid pace might not be possible, but it speaks to the dormant scoring potential of the Russian winger.
One of my sad-guy hobbies last postseason was tracking where Nichushkin was in the goals race even after the Avs' were out. He finished in 6th place, ahead of eventual playoff MVP Connor McDavid, and Cup Champion Alexander Barkov! If that stat isn't salty enough for you, those guys played 25 and 24 games respectively.
Right now, Valeri Nichushkin only has one point in the 2025 playoff run. Once again, I just find it hard to imagine a world in which he doesn't heat up for some points.
Avalanche forwards Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas are both coming off career-highs in the regular season: Lehkonen for goals (27) and Necas for overall points (83). Now we know that the postseason is a different animal, but I still expect more than two points for Lehky and one for Marty in the series. These guys are too skilled to keep down forever.
Attitude is the key
The Colorado Avalanche have proven their physical mettle since Game 1. The hitting has only increased over subsequent matchups. But it wasn't until Saturday's blowout win that the Avalanche showed off the overwhelming power of their offensive game.
The Avalanche threw everything at the net in Game 4. In the end they registered 48 shots on goal. It would be hubris to think that that exact number is replicable every time out, especially in Dallas where the ice quality will probably be iffy to say the least.
But what you can carry over into Game 5 is the attitude that helped produce those kinds of results. You've got to go in knowing that every shot you take is at least a chance at a rebound. This is all the more crucial if skating conditions are choppy like they were in Game 2.
Dallas had their best showing in that game because they got the greasy goals. The Avalanche can take a lesson from that fact. If they combine that mindset with the emphasis on volume heading toward the net the Avalanche should feel very good about taking Game 5.
I have faith that many Avalanche players have another gear in them. I can't wait to see who steps up in what is now a best-of-three series.