The Colorado Avalanche are in the unenviable position of having to win four of their next five games. Here’s how you can do it.
The Colorado Avalanche are in a pickle of their own making. Although they had an ice advantage at home, which means that the coaches had the last change, they are 0-0 down against the Dallas Stars in the second round series.
It’s a difficult situation. Teams that are defeated 0-2 in a series do not do well historically. The record is 51-324. But let’s not focus on that because series go seven games for a reason. You have to win four to win the series – you don’t just get the series victory for winning two games in a row.
These games are difficult to win for a reason. And I can tell you, I get really depressed when I think about this being the end of the road for the avalanche. The future is so uncertain. We know we can’t start asking “Is it October already?” Because the season definitely won’t start on time. Can we ask: “Is it already November”? Probably not. December? If we’re lucky, but I seriously think that the 2020-21 season will actually be the 2021 season. I don’t think we’re going to get any more hockey past the bubble in 2020.
So the Avs cannot leave the bladder. And not like that, not by a team that they are better than. Not from a team whose coach whined about life in the bubble. Not this team, it’s so coherent.
The Avalanche cannot lose Game 3 in any way. So let’s take a look at some advice to see how our team extends its season.
Take the lead
The Colorado Avalanche can beat any team in the NHL in one race. So you have to come out of the gate as in Game 2 – with your feet moving.
Much is currently difficult because of two key injuries to the starting goalkeeper (Philipp Grubauer) and the captain of the defense (Erik Johnson). Well, it doesn’t look like any of these players are returning – they’re not on this series at all. Since this is a big part of their defense, they need to take the lead first.
Keep the lead
The Avalanche took the lead in Game 2. They did it the way they should. When they went into the first break, they shot against the stars 3-1.
A series of unfortunate events – some preventable, some not – resulted in five unanswered goals for the Dallas Stars. The stars seem to make that their brand.
Well, it’s time for Avalanche to mess with Texas. You have what it takes to be merciless. Will you take the lead? Be adamant. Don’t take your foot off the accelerator unless you have eight goals and five seconds less. Then and only then can they get lighter.
Get physical
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The Avs at least initially defeated the stars 3-1. At the end of the game, Dallas had defeated Colorado 2-1. Playoff hockey is physical – no team will make it without grinding the other team.
In addition, the stars have shown that they are ready to play dirty. I never want to advocate dirty gaming, but Colorado can’t stay sparkling either.
The caveat here is that they have to stay out of the box. While your penalty shoot-out is great, it’s not a great way to take and hold the lead.
Play your game
When the Colorado Avalanche are playing their game at speed, they are almost unstoppable. They put pucks in the net and shoot at the goalkeeper until the pucks go in. It’s a successful – and exciting – brand of hockey. But the cute game? That has to stop. Ugly goals count just as much as beautiful ones.
In Game 2, the Avalanche were also thrown out of the game. That string of unfortunate events seemed to cross their minds and they lost the game itself. No matter what, you have to do what they promised in their PR for these playoffs – be steadfast.
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The Colorado Avalanche will play MDT Game 3 at 8:30 am today. You really have to take this game today – and take it decisively. Fifty-one other teams found a way to make a comeback from such a huge deficit. It’s time to do 52.
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