The Colorado Avalanche are waiting for the postseason to begin. While they don’t know who they’re going to face in the first round yet, it is down to the Utah Mammoth and the Los Angeles Kings.
Former Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, who has become a huge fan-favorite in media since his retirement, gave his thoughts on two teams the Avalanche will not face in the first round, but in the second round, if they make it. Johnson’s first thought hints at the wear and tear that these two teams could endure, in a long, brutal series.
"“I don’t see any way that Dallas-Minnesota doesn’t go six or seven (games). That’s about a sure thing.”"Erik Johnson, former Avs defenseman
That is music to the ears of Avs Faithful. It would be the perfect scenario for Colorado because that means that whoever they face will be beaten up a fair bit, potentially creating plenty of fatigue and exhaustion.
Johnson also said that his second team in the West, outside of the Colorado Avalanche, is the Vegas Golden Knights, due to John Tortorella’s ability to push buttons a certain way (in relation to how to motivate and coach a team).
In terms of the Dallas Stars, the Wild wearing down guys such as gold medal-winning Olympian goalie Jake Oettinger, Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston will be key. Those are some of the team’s best players, especially Oettinger.
Johnston is a power-play machine, scoring 27 power-play goals this season. Robertson is second on the team with 15. It is clear that the Avalanche, who have had one of the best penalty kills in all of the NHL this season, would have to have to be completely on their game.
Both teams play each other very tough. The Avalanche have a 2-0-2 series lead on the Stars this year. In their last meeting of the year, the Avs won 2-0. In the one before that, Both teams played extremely hard, sending the game into a shootout, where the Stars took home the win.
The game before that was the highest-scoring game of the year between the clubs, with the Avs winning 5-4, and yes, in a shootout. Coincidentally, the first matchup between the teams this season also ended up as a 5-4 shootout win—but this time, for the Stars.
As for the Avalanche and Wild matchups this season, Minnesota took home the win in their first meeting of the year in a 3-2 shootout win. The second game was a lot better for Colorado, as they destroyed the Wild 5-1. Unfortunately, the third matchup ended with a 5-2 Wild win, but then in their last game against each other this season, Colorado won 3-2 (in a shootout).
Playoff hockey is a different animal. There is a lot more on the line. The most is on the line in these games. Each series is a best-of-7, so there are a minimum of four games per series. Those can add up, so the best thing for the Avalanche is if the Stars and Wild go to seven games, while holding whichever team they face to four games.
That is a tough ask, but it’s certainly not impossible. Either way, the playoffs are right around the corner, so let’s enjoy every single step.
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