What a fun end to the second round. Colorado had their first true test of the playoffs with a five game series against Minnesota. Jared Bednar’s tinkering of the roster and goaltender usage showed yet again why he is one of the best coaches in the league. The Avalanche stars keep playing better each round. Meanwhile, Vegas looks like the juggernaut many predicted at the beginning of the season. Free agent addition Mitch Marner is playing the best playoff hockey of his career, Carter Hart has stabilized and locked down the number one goaltender position, and the defense has done a great job at shot-blocking under interim coach John Tortorella. Both teams will have their hands full, and many believe whichever team wins this series will win the championship. Time to break down which one has the best shot to win the western conference and advance to the Stanley Cup finals.
#4 Vegas Golden Knights v. #1 Colorado Avalanche
This is a conference final series every hockey fan will love. Both teams have great coaching, deep rosters, can score a lot of goals, and usually play stellar defense. In many ways, one could pick either team to win both this finals and the championship round, and those picks would be believable.
Both teams also mirror each other in their deficiencies. The weakest links for Vegas are the lack of goaltender depth behind starter Carter Hart, and how a lot of the veterans have seen more injuries than usual after blocking shots on net. Colorado’s goaltending issues are similar. Last round, the Avalanche had no idea what they would get from either Scott Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood. Both struggled and were pulled because division rival Minnesota tore through the defense. The Avalanche defensemen have not been as consistent as those of the Knights. Devon Toews and Cale Makar all but disappeared after game one’s 9-6 scoring barrage against the Wild.
There is one surprising factor that will determine which team advances to the next round. Colorado has been mentally sharp in almost all their nine previous games. Say what you will about the Avalanche’s sloppiness from last series, they knew when to dial in and stay committed until the clock hit four zeros. The Golden Knights haven’t been as sharp. Vegas let both of their series go six games each because they mentally checked out for at least one game or let the younger team claw back and take at least one game to overtime. Colorado isn’t the younger, inexperienced Mammoth or Ducks. They could bury the Golden Knights at any hint of hesitation or after a small mistake. That will make it hard for Vegas to outlast Colorado for four wins.
Prediction: Avalanche win the western conference and series 4-2
Western conference playoff predictions record: 2-2
JD's Sportscorner 