Avalanche Roundtable: Playoffs, pressure, and predictions

The Colorado Avalanche defied preseason expectations and slipped into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Their 47-point improvement was a resounding success of a regular season but the team is still playing as their series against the Nashville Predators begins tomorrow.

We got the BSN Avalanche staff together to talk ask a couple basic questions and, naturally, make some predictions.

Wow. The Avalanche made the postseason. Are you worried about their poor play down the stretch or does their beatdown of St. Louis help erase the memories of the last two weeks, especially the California trip?

J.D. Killian: The California trip was disappointing. But I think the team may have been trying too hard and took themselves out. Also, there may have been some illness circulating through the locker room. They managed to show up big in crunch time against St. Louis and that bodes really well for the future of the team. So, I’m aware they are young and likely unpredictable but relieved they re-discovered their rhythm in time for the big moments.

Andi Duroux: Honestly, I’m finding it difficult to be worried about much of anything now that the team is playing with house money. They made the playoffs. That was the goal. Anything they do from here on out is gravy, so “worried” isn’t the word I’d use.

But do I think it’s a factor? Yes, absolutely. They’ve had a couple rough weeks, and it doesn’t bode well for their performance in the series. It could be a number of factors; maybe they’ve been sick, gripped the stick too tightly under the strain of a tough race, have multiple limbs held on by ducktape and bailing twine, forgot to sacrifice a ritual goat to the hockey gods, miss the injured Erik Johnson and Semyon Varlamov, and/or need to sleep for a week straight. Whatever the case, I’m not sure they can just flip a switch and get over it, especially on the road.

If they can, they stand a chance in this series. If they can’t, well, at least they can dust off the golf clubs knowing they accomplished the primary goal this season.

Adrian Dater: No, it’s all house money now. They won a showdown game at home to get into the playoffs after a 48-point season. It’s all good no matter what happens. Will it suck to lose a series? Sure, it always sucks to lose. But they still could win this thing maybe, and if they don’t? It was a great season, and better days should be on the way too. They had to play the final 2-3 weeks without their No. 1 defenseman and No. 1 goalie. Of course, there might be a bit of a slide. But they got in. It’s all good.

Jesse Montano: I think it would be naive to just throw out a week and half of poor play. That said, this is all just a bonus for a team that wasn’t expected to be here. The Avs can play loose and with no pressure, this team showed that they are capable of rising to the occasion when they needed to and now have some pretty serious momentum they can ride into round one. You won’t convince me that Nashville wouldn’t have preferred a first round matchup with St. Louis.

A.J. Haefele: California trip really showed a young team that looked like it was running out of gas. They got an ideal situation against St. Louis, who was playing the second night of a back-to-back and then lost Vladimir Tarasenko very early in the game. It was two battered teams going at it and Colorado used all of their inherent advantages to maximum effect. None of those will apply against Nashville so they’re going to have to completely reset. This team has been consistent only in its unpredictability and this series is no different. This should be a great experience for the guys.

Colorado’s reward for beating out the Blues for the last playoff spot is taking on Nashville. Given their recent struggles against the Preds, what is your definition of success for this playoff adventure?

J.D. Killian: I would be happy with one win against the Predators. If the Avalanche manage to get two wins, that would be excellent. And a series win would be amazing – and completely unexpected, although this team has the potential to surprise. The Avalanche need to play THEIR game and go out fast and loose and let the chips fall where they may. No one expected them to get this far. As I’ve said before, they are playing with house money.

Andi Duroux: I’d like to see them steal at least one game and keep the others competitive.

Adrian Dater: I mean, not getting swept will be a success. Nashville is talented everywhere and deep everywhere. They’ve won 10 straight against the Avs. They’re hungry for a Cup and have home ice. A competitive showing, though, maybe a win or two, and it’s a success.

Jesse Montano: Competitive play. Similarly to the rest of the season, there are no expectations for the Avs in this series, you’re playing with house money, trying to prove to the league and yourself that you can hang with the best team in the NHL and trying to build for next year. If they can play Nashville tight and keep games close, you never know what could happen. I’m not expecting them to win this series, but I am expecting them to give the Preds a run for their money. I think a series similar to WSH/TOR from last year would be a huge success.

A.J. Haefele: I’ll echo the others here. A win would be great, competitive games are the goal, and really just seeing the team learn what this stage is all about for the future would be ideal.

Hit me with predictions for the series and who ends up being the MVP (from either team).

J.D. Killian: Prediction – it’s tough to decide between the head and the heart on this one. Head says Predators win in seven while heart says Avalanche can explode and win in six. Going with the heart – Avalanche in six. They only need to steal one road game. If it goes to seven games, I think the Predators will win with their own home ice advantage.

Andi Duroux: I see the Avs taking at least one of their home games. MVP will be Pekka Rinne, although I expect both PK Subban and Filip Forsberg to have a strong series. Nashville’s defensemen are an impressive group, so I think the Avs’ top line gets stifled, but we see someone like Tyson Jost stepping up in their absence. I also think either Colin Wilson or Sam Girard get a goal against their former team. Nashville in five.

Adrian Dater: Prediction: Nashville in six. MVP: Roman Josi

Jesse Montano: Predators in six. Nathan MacKinnon is the best player on the ice.

A.J. Haefele: There are avenues for the Avalanche to be successful but the playoffs are a meat grinder and I think the Avalanche just aren’t deep enough to make a real dent. I have Nashville in five. MVP is Filip Forsberg.