How does this year’s playoff format affect the Avs?
Peter Baugh, Avalanche beat writer: By winning the division, the Avalanche secured a date with the St. Louis Blues. They’re not an easy opponent, having won the Stanley Cup only two years ago, but there aren’t any weak playoff teams from the West.
The Blues have struggled to find consistency throughout the season, and the Avalanche have a more talented roster. They went 5-3 against St. Louis this season, and two of those losses came while goaltender Philipp Grubauer and leading goal scorer Mikko Rantanen were out due to COVID-19 protocols.
If the Avalanche take care of business against the Blues, they could have a long-awaited playoff matchup with a dominant Vegas team in Round 2. But Vegas will have to go through Minnesota for that to happen.
Previewing a Golden Knights-Wild matchup
Jesse Granger, Golden Knights beat writer: It’s not often the second-best record in the entire NHL isn’t enough to win a division. Falling just short of Colorado means Vegas will face a Minnesota Wild team that it has struggled mightily with this season.
Despite a 3-4-1 record against Minnesota, the Golden Knights should have enough firepower to edge the Wild. Assuming neither Minnesota nor St. Louis play spoiler, a Colorado-Vegas second-round series — potentially the best of the entire playoffs — could provide fireworks, and perhaps the eventual Stanley Cup champion.
One weakness for the Avs heading into the playoffs
Baugh: If the Avs are healthy, they’re relatively weakness-free. The team has a star-studded top line, depth scoring and arguably the best group of defensemen in the league, as well as a quality goaltender in Grubauer. But the eternal question for the Avalanche is if they can stay healthy.
Nathan MacKinnon is banged up heading into the playoffs, though coach Jared Bednar said he’s hopeful the star center will be ready for Game 1 of the first round, and Brandon Saad is also recovering from injury. He’s skating in preparation to return. If Colorado is skating healthy, it has as good a chance as anyone to win the Stanley Cup.
(Photo: Michael Martin / NHLI via Getty Images)
