The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a unique position. They are almost certainly on a collision course with the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs, though seeding has yet to determine home ice. The Avalanche are on the verge of clinching a spot and sit seven points up on the fourth-place Minnesota Wild with six games left on the schedule.
As head coach Jared Bednar finds a balance between rest and keeping the team rolling, the Avalanche are still working to finish the regular season on a positive note. That is why the late comeback against their division rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, felt like a big win. Let’s get into the three takeaways from the 3-2 shootout win.
Necas Coming Up Clutch
The trade that sent Mikko Rantanen out of town has been discussed to death at this point, but it feels like the Avalanche won the trade just through the acquisition of Martin Necas. Rantanen has been traded again, accumulating 18 points in 25 games since leaving Denver. Necas, meanwhile, has 27 points in 27 games with the Avalanche and he obviously wasn’t the only piece to come back in the deal.
Necas came in clutch for the Avalanche, redirecting a shot into the back of the Blackhawks’ net with just 11 seconds left. He has a knack for finding the open space, and he did just that on this play. Floating behind the net, he popped out in front just as Cale Makar launched a shot on net, redirecting it even after it had been tipped.
It definitely feels like Necas is going to be a part of this core for a long time to come, and the Avalanche are seemingly better off than when they had Rantanen. He is going to be a vital part of the playoff push and will be leaned on heavily to take pressure off the team’s stars.
Scott Wedgewood Was Outstanding
When talking about all the moves made by the Avalanche this season, the one that doesn’t get talked about enough is the acquisition of Scott Wedgewood. He has been outstanding for the Avalanche and is coming off a fantastic March where he was a difference-maker.
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Wedgewood was absolutely fantastic against the Blackhawks. In the second period, he made a pair of highlight reel saves that could have put the game out of reach if he hadn’t managed to come up with timely denials.
It gives the Avalanche the best possible scenario going into the playoffs. If there is one criticism of Mackenzie Blackwood, it’s his lack of playoff experience. He will go into the postseason as the top guy, but if he struggles, Bednar can go to Wedgewood without batting an eye.
Makar Inching Toward History
While Necas is being lauded as the hero by tying the game late, it was Makar’s 29th goal of the season that got the ball moving in the right direction. The Avalanche had been struggling to create space and make moves to the front, but Makar made the most of his chance.
It was the typical toe-drag move that Makar utilizes except this time he fired before completing the move. It handcuffed Spencer Knight and the defenseman, finding its way to the back of the net. It was the momentum builder the team needed to get back into the game.
Makar is now just two goals away from tying Mike Green’s benchmark of 31 goals set in 2008-09 for modern defensemen. It is safe to say that no one will get close to the actual mark – 48 goals by Paul Coffey in 1985-86 – but this is still quite an achievement if he can even hit the 30-goal mark.
Finding a Way
On paper, this wasn’t the best game the Avalanche could have had. The late collapse against the Calgary Flames required a response this time out, and the Avalanche very nearly lost to the lowly Blackhawks. We would be having a very different conversation if Necas didn’t come through when needed.
The Avalanche need to take this as an overall positive. Rather than settling for an “off” night and a loss to a bad team, they fought back late and found a way to come out on top. In the playoffs, the good teams will need to find a way to prevail. Consider this a test ahead of the playoffs.
