The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful of the Avalanche Playoff Series

The Colorado Avalanche fought the good fight against the President’s Trophy winning Nashville Predators, forcing the series to go six rounds before finally running out of gas. Don’t look for any ugly in this week’s episode. When writing about an Avalanche team playing deep into April after a historically bad season the year before, there’s not a lot to complain about.

Since most people never expected the Avalanche to be respectable, let alone reach the postseason, nor hold their own against the best team in the NHL, let’s start with the bad stuff first, to get it out of the way.

THE BAD

Okay, there were a few bad things. Not many, but a few.

1. The first and foremost bad thing – and something even most Predators fans would agree with – the officials missed a heck of a series. Neither side was satisfied with the officiating and it led to some dangerous play. Honestly, how difficult would it have been to make a few pre-emptive calls in the first period of a couple of the matchups to keep things from getting out of hand?

Punches to the head, knee on knee hits, sticks to the face – none of those are necessary in the playoffs. And missing those kind of calls is just ugly for the game. Okay, I lied, I guess there was some ugly to discuss. For all the lip service the NHL gives to protecting the players, they could really send a message by blowing the whistle on some of those plays. But, alas, it’s like spitting into the wind.

2. Anyone else learn to really dislike the Predators during this series? It’s great that P. K. Subban said all kinds of nice things about Nathan MacKinnon after the end of the series. But the words would carry significantly more valued if he hadn’t sucker punched MacKinnon and then said he would do it again. Not a good look for a Norris Trophy candidate.

3. Speaking of not a good look for a trophy candidate, Vezina finalist Pekka Rinne didn’t earn any respect with his hit to Matt Nieto either. Yeah, Rinne lost a fan or two there. Just remember, the Avalanche chased Rinne out of the net once already. Expect next year’s contests to be completely different. Sometimes poor sportsmanship has lasting consequences. And the Avalanche are no longer intimidated by smashville.

4. By game six, Colorado looked like they had drained their tank. Losing 5-0 after the show they put on the previous five games was more of a ‘meh’ though than truly bad. Gotta’ respect a team that plays until they have nothing left to give. It’s been a long time since the Avalanche faithful have witnessed that kind of dedication. They deserve a huge amount of respect for laying it all out there.

5. A couple of numbers could use some improvement for next year’s postseason run. The Avalanche only converted twice while on the power play, out of 20 chances. They might want to figure out what went wrong there. Also, in the final two games, the Avalanche where outshot by double digits in both contests, after previously keeping it pretty close. One idea for next year – quit looking for the perfect shot and just throw everything but the kitchen sink at the net. This is the kind of analysis that earns the big bucks. You are welcome.

6. One can’t help but wonder what would have happened if the Avalanche hadn’t been hampered by injuries to both their starting goaltenders (Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier), their number one defenseman (Erik Johnson), and their other top four defenseman (Sam Girard). Other teams entered the playoffs with injuries, but few of them lost such key pieces. Maybe they will all take the suggestion from Johnson and drink lots of milk in the offseason. Or ice cream. That has milk in it too, and it’s good for one’s spirit.

THE GOOD

1. Many analysts were suggesting the Avalanche would be an easy sweep for Nashville. But Colorado brought their best effort to the series and pushed it to six games. Two of the losses could easily have been wins, losing by a single goal in both. A different call here or there, or a lucky bounce or two, and the series could have had a whole other outcome. Look out world, Colorado has shown a glimpse of the future and everyone will need some serious eyewear it’s so bright.

2 Stick taps to all the Colorado fans who showed up in droves to support the team. After the game four loss at home, people in the stands were telling each other “See you Sunday!”. Coach Bednar was so touched he even commented on Twitter about the positivity. There are places where teams don’t have that kind of support. And the cheers at the end of the game – awesome. Avalanche fans are special. So give yourselves a pat on the back and take yourselves out for ice cream. Tyson Barrie recommends Blizzards. Might be a good way to prepare for next year.

3. The Avalanche played competitively in five out of six games, proving they can keep pace with the NHL point leading Predators. If they can give arguably the best team in the NHL a run for the money in their first playoff series together, what’s in store for next year? Hopefully, the other Central Division teams were too busy doing other things to notice. It would be nice if Colorado could sneak up on them next year. Mwuhaha!

4. Colorado proved they could come from behind to beat Nashville. They proved they could rack up goals and chase out Rinne. They proved they had no quit and would play until time ran out on their comebacks. The Avalanche proved they could compete with anybody and could find a variety of ways to win. The Colorado Avalanche proved they belonged in the postseason and surprised the mainstream media. The Avalanche finally started getting the respect they so richly deserved. And it was so refreshing.

5. Coach Bednar and his staff deserve a ton of kudos for adapting the game plans from one game to the next. The Nashville Predators boast some of the most dangerous scoring defensive players in the NHL and the Avalanche game plan didn’t allow a single goal by one of Nashville’s defenseman until game six. Pretty incredible. And, in case it got overlooked, much heralded scoring defenseman Subban was held to three assists over the entire series. Not bad, not bad at all.

The coaching staff also juggled line matchups and defensive combinations on the fly during games as well as between contests. It was refreshing to watch the team adapt as the series wore on and to witness the coaching staff devise ways to win. There are just not enough gift baskets to properly express appreciation for all the changes in the front office this year. Maybe it’s time to consider gift cards, instead.

THE BEAUTIFUL

1. The Avalanche earned more postseason wins than the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and the Minnesota Wild – combined. Relish the moment.

2. 16 Avalanche players earned at least a point during the playoffs. 16. Aside from the goaltenders, only three players didn’t earn a point and they were all defenseman. Every forward earned at least one point, and most had two or more. All four lines scored as well as four of the defensemen. And they are the youngest team in the NHL. That’s a far cry from last year. Just, wow.

3. For those thinking the top line wouldn’t be able to compete with Nashville, here are some numbers. Captain Gabriel Landekog scored the most goals on the team (four) and earned the most points for the Avalanche (seven). Nathan MacKinnon racked up three goals and three assists, and an injured Mikko Rantanen still managed to contribute four assists. That’s 10 points. Oh, and to add a cherry to the top of that sundae, Nate the Great is only 22 years old, Mikko is 21 and Landeskog is 25. Oh yeah, and MacKinnon is signed through 2023. For $6.3 million. How do you like those apples, mild fans?

4. All three rookie forwards earned at least a point. J.T. Compher notched three assists, Alexander Kerfoot tallied two goals, and Tyson Jost contributed an assist. Jost just turned 20, Kerfoot and Compher are 23. Time to purchase some rose colored glasses, people!

5. Nikita Zadorov elevated his game to new levels in the postseason, hopefully putting to rest the whole ‘who won the O’Reilly trade’ argument. He tallied a goal and two assists while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game, landing 28 hits (nine in the final contest) and playing on both the power play and penalty kill, depending on player matchups.  He just turned 23. And 19 year old defenseman Sam Girard proved to be the best puck moving/possession player on the team’s blue line. It’s enough to make one giddy.

6. Goaltender Andrew Hammond put on a show to help the team steal a win in Nashville for game five. He saved 44 of 45 shots on goal, for a .978 save percent and tied the legendary Patrick Roy for saves in a game in the playoffs. Regardless of where he ends up next year, the Hamburglar is now part of franchise history. Another piece of the Matt Duchene trade paying off big in clutch time. Watching hamburgers rain down on the Pepsi Center ice to honor his effort washed away any residue from that ugly dead fish stunt in the previous home game. Maybe he would like fries with that next time.

7. GM Joe Sakic announced he extended Coach Bednar’s contract for another year, meaning Bednar will be with the team for at least two more seasons. While some may argue Bednar earned a longer term, one has to respect Sakic’s wisdom in waiting to see if the team will continue it’s upward spiral before locking down a longer contract. It seems someone in the Avalanche learned from past mistakes. It just keeps getting better, people.

WHAT TO WATCH

1. Colorado will continue to build on their success in the offseason. Sakic said he wants to continue to develop the team along the vision for young and faster, hinting at making the team even younger and faster over the next couple years. Younger and faster? Is that even possible? With a number of picks in the upcoming draft, there will be plenty to watch.

2. The Avalanche are in the market for a new coach of it’s AHL team – the Colorado Eagles. Former San Antonio Rampage coach Eric Veilleux was released from the organization and Sakic said they are starting with a clean slate.

3. Colorado is still working out details for it’s ECHL team. Look for details to come out as the season winds down.

4. Countries will continue to round up players for their national teams in the upcoming IHF World Championships. Allegedly, Zadorov has already been invited to join the Russian crew. Look for a couple more Avalanche players to join a team or two.

The Avalanche provided a wild, exciting roller coaster ride this season and they delivered on their promise of bringing fun and exciting hockey back to Colorado. Savor the good, it’s been a long time coming. And start shopping for those rose colored glasses – everyone will be needing them next year.

Next week – a breakdown of the season and a glimpse of things to come. Until then, hug your loved ones, eat some ice cream and enjoy all the incredible end of season Avalanche stories!