As we see more NHL playoff-clinching scenarios unfold, the Colorado Avalanche have largely been in a holding pattern for the last two weeks. They’ll play the Dallas Stars in the first round, a collision of titans who could and should challenge for the Stanley Cup.
The depleted Avalanche are focusing on getting healthy ahead of the first round, so the lineup looked a little different ahead of Saturday’s game with the Los Angeles Kings. Though the Kings got the jump early, the Avalanche fought back, ultimately falling short 5-4. Here are the takeaways.
Brock Nelson Has Been a Home Run Acquisition
It took some time for Brock Nelson to find himself after being acquired by the Avalanche at the trade deadline, but the move is clearly paying dividends for both he and the team. He has played very well over his last half-dozen games and scored a pair against the Kings.
He is now up to 13 points in 18 games with the Avalanche, including five points in his last six games. What doesn’t reach the stat sheet is his defensive impact. He has solidified the second-line center position in a way not seen since Nazem Kadri was in town.
When things get tough in the playoffs, and room starts to become scarce, players like Nelson thrive. He has never been on a team like this before, so it will be interesting to see how he responds to not only having better linemates, but also more favorable matchups.
Time to Be Mildly Concerned About Blackwood’s Play?
Let’s get this out of the way right now: this game felt like a throwaway. If anything, most of the news has been focused on Gabriel Landskog and his return to pro hockey this past week. After nearly three years, he is skating on a conditional stint with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) in hopes of a playoff return.
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Meanwhile, it hasn’t been talked about much, but lauded goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood hasn’t exactly been outstanding of late. If anything, he’s been outplayed by backup Scott Wedgewood, giving the Avalanche the confidence of having two strong goalies.
That said, Blackwood has struggled in his last five starts. He’s 1-4-0 in that stretch and has allowed three goals or more in each of his last four starts. Compared to how he was playing in the months after his arrival, it is at least mildly alarming. The Avalanche can’t have subpar goaltending against a team like the Stars.
Avalanche Hanging Around Without Star Power
As mentioned, the Avalanche lineup looked drastically different coming into this game. Nathan MacKinnon is likely going to sit out the remainder of the regular season to rest up. Ditto for Cale Makar. Josh Manson, Jonathan Drouin, and others are still recovering from injuries.
Nelson had a great game, Valeri Nichushkin looks ready for a big playoff, and the rest of the lineup made a late push to get the Avalanche back into the game. In this holding pattern until the playoffs start, there isn’t a whole lot to really hang your hat on.
For the Avalanche, it is something of a small victory to have kept this game so close. The Kings have been hot lately and are at least making the Vegas Golden Knights uncomfortable at the top of the Pacific Division standings.
Bring on the Playoffs
Avalanche fans are anxious to get the playoffs started. Moving up or down in the standings has been put to rest, so the remaining games feel like nothing more than filler. The big names are gearing up for the playoffs and attempting to get as healthy as they can.
This first-round matchup is going to be one for the ages. Both teams appear to have little to nothing in the way of weaknesses, and it is safe to assume that it is going to be a seven-game war that we will all be talking about.
