Avalanche excited to possibly clinch, but not getting ahead of themselves

Greetings from the morning skate, where the Avalanche just finished up its session. We could be talking about a playoff team tonight. Or, we could be talking about a team that needs to go to San Jose and maybe have to win something, even if it’s just one point.

The scenario: the Avs’ magic number is 1. One point in the next two games gets them in the first round of the postseason for the second straight year. If the Arizona Coyotes fail to get four full points in their next two games, tonight in Vegas or Saturday against Winnipeg, they’re out.

If the Avs lose the next two games in regulation and Arizona wins the next two in EITHER REGULATION OR OVERTIME, they are in. If Arizona wins one game in either regulation/overtime and one game in a shootout – and the Avs lose both IN REGULATION – Arizona would go, based on a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Before Arizona can even think about still making the playoffs, they need the Avs to lose both games IN REGULATION. If the Coyotes lose in any fashion – regulation, overtime, shootout – they’re out. If Arizona won both games in a SHOOTOUT, and the Avs lose both in regulation, the Avs would go.

OK, that’s about how much I’ll confuse you with today. Bottom line: If Avs can just scrape out a point in the next two games, they’re in. You don’t want to have to scoreboard watch still going into Saturday night in San Jose. But it could happen. And, the Avs could still finish seventh too, with two wins and two Dallas losses in REGULATION.

A note or two before I post some locker-room audio from today:

Mikko Rantanen was on the ice, in skates, albeit in the orange non-contact jersey. He remains kinda/sorta day-to-day. If the Avs go into San Jose needing a point still, I’d think there’s a chance he’d play. But, obviously, I think the Avs really want to avoid that, and give him the extra rest before the first round.

Philipp Grubauer in goal.

Some uncut audio:

Erik Johnson, talking about being able to play for a playoff spot personally. Remember, he was hurt this time last year and never did play in the postseason:

Next up, Tyson Barrie, on what clinching would mean:

Next up, Gabe Landeskog on the same: 

Lastly, Derick Brassard, on his transition to the Avs: