The Colorado Avalanche have successfully reached the conference final for the first time since the 2022 cup season and will host the Las Vegas Golden Knights for game one on Wednesday evening at Ball Arena.
We should get a feel for the matchup before the much-anticipated series begins, and with the benefit of time and importance, we will be able to bring you a preview piece for each position group, like old times!
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Let’s start with two star-studded, accomplished forward groups on each side and see how they compare, what advantages they offer, and ultimately who I think has the edge!
Golden Knights Projected Forwards:
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Mitch Marner
Brandon Saad — Tomas Hertl — Colton Sissons
Cole Smith — Nic Dowd — Keegan Kolesar — Mark Stone
Vegas brings its own Stanley Cup pedigree, with past champions like Jack Eichel and a wounded Mark Stone still on the roster. In fact, the Golden Knights currently roster 11 players who were a part of their 2023 Stanley Cup achievement.
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It’s the sort of experience and talent in the top group that can actually rival the Avalanche, but with a slightly different approach. Attrition and forechecking are the focus for the Golden Knights, and although not as flashy as Colorado’s, it’s an approach that has proven plenty effective.
Ivan Barbashev is coming off a standout regular season and has followed it up with a great tournament performance, accumulating nine points in eleven playoff games so far, and a playoff-leading 54 hits through two rounds.
For Vegas, the story is Mitch Marner and his playoff success. Despite what we’ve heard from Toronto fans for years, Mitch Marner is a gamer, and he has proven it already this postseason, reaching a point in the bracket Toronto hasn’t reached since 2002.
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This series will be won and lost in the neutral zone, as it’s likely to be John Torterella’s point of emphasis to muddy the waters, disrupt Colorado’s attack, and effectively deploy a counterstrike.
Avalanche Projected Forwards:
Gabriel Landeskog — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Ross Colton — Brock Nelson — Nicolas Roy
Valeri Nichushkin — Nazem Kadri — Logan O’Connor
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Joel Kiviranta — Artturi Lehkonen
The Avalanche are capable of a measured approach, but are at their best when they can work their transition game and active defenders.
Nathan MacKinnon is on an absolute tear this postseason, and if he continues that trend, it’s hard to imagine the Avalanche losing many games.
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Marty Necas has officially brought the party to the postseason with a beautiful and patient assist of the series-clinching game winner that left the stick of Brett Kulak.
The Avalanche have also been the benefactors of a downright effective Gabe Landeskog. Last postseason, he spoke about riding on adrenaline, but this time around, he has the legs, the frame, and the work ethic to thrive.
All things considered, these top six groups are talented and, although different in approach, highly competitive in their own right.
The status of Artturi Lehkonen and Mark Stone will be worth monitoring as we get closer to puck drop.
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Both teams have already practiced some misdirection or tactic regarding the reporting of certain players’ health status.
Bednar iced both Malinski and Lehkonen in the morning skate to pull them from the lineup at puck drop against the Wild, and Vegas is catching fines for avoiding the press altogether. Wish us luck!
Bottom Six Depth
The kicker in this series could be the bottom six, as both teams have groups that have contributed timely goals and gutsy effort. Vegas’ Brett Howden is currently sporting a ridiculous shooting percentage (40%), and additions Colton Sissons and Nic Dowd have fit right in.
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The Avalanche got a game-winner from Parker Kelly in the second round and saw the third and fourth lines at their best against the Wild in general.
How these groups match up will be interesting, with both sides capable of some shuffling in the middle six. In a series that’s Torts vs. Bedsy, I’m thinking the focus will be on coverage and limiting the opposition, so expect a similar series to Avs vs. LA but with Vegas having actual scoring potential.
Advantage: Nathan MacKinnon’s Revenge
This one is hard to give to either side because, although I think the Avalanche have a better forward group both in terms of top-end talent and depth, I feel that Vegas is equally effective with who they have and what they aim to accomplish.
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Colorado’s roster is more like a cup champion, but Vegas-style is the kind that can win any game on any given night, no matter who their opponent is.
When I look for the kicker, I see Nathan MacKinnon and Mitch Marner as the best candidates for each side, and I’ll have to defer to the talents of Nate. I have nothing but respect for Mitch Marner, but this Nathan MacKinnon we have seen in the postseason feels unstoppable.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
