3 Most Disappiointing Avalanche Players in Western Conference Final

Nelson has zero points through three games of this series and is an ugly minus-four. For a guy who is supposed to be one of the premier defensive forwards in the league, it is a completely antithetical performance based on what is expected.

Vegas is getting contributions from throughout its lineup while the Avalanche have seen their middle-six completely dry up. If anything, it begs a deeper look at Nelson’s playoff resume. His 29 goals and 57 career points in 97 playoff games is far from sparkling, and this year’s performance may be his worst. Can you be too hard on a guy who is 15^th on his team in scoring? It doesn’t feel like it.

Sam Malinski

Malinski had stepped up in a big way this season, essentially making Sam Girard expendable in the process. He isn’t the most visibly impressive defenseman you will ever see, but he makes quick decisions and sound plays.

With Cale Makar out of the lineup for Games 1 and 2, Malinski was given a slightly bigger role. He did not pas the test. Malinski was a cumulative minus-three while averaging just over 20 minutes per night. In Game 3, Malinski was limited to under 13 minutes as he continued to struggle.

Part of Malinski’s struggles can be credited to the Golden Knights. Their forwards are physical, relentless, and have a winning pedigree. That said, Malinski’s play has to feel like a letdown given everything we have seen out of him this season.

Martin Necas

When the playoffs get tough, you need your biggest stars to shine brightest. MacKinnon has been himself, but he has done it with a disappearing act from winger Martin Necas. Though he had just one goal through the first two rounds, Necas made up for it as a playmaker with 10 assists.

In three games against the Golden Knights, Necas has been bad. He had an assist in the first period of Game 3, his first point of the series. He is a cumulative minus-four and even took a couple of uncharacteristic penalties in the Game 2 loss.

Necas falling off the face of the earth is one of many issues plaguing the Avalanche in this series. Teams need their best guys to be at their best in the biggest moments. With Makar out, Necas needed to step up and has done the complete opposite.

Backs Against the Wall

This has been a weird series, especially with the drama surrounding Makar’s status. Aside from the first period of Game 3, it never felt like the Avalanche had found their stride. For a team thought to easily walk to its fourth Stanley Cup, they never really dominated.

This can be seen as nothing other than a massive disappointment for the Avalanche. A team so dominant in the regular season fell short and faced important injuries at the worst time. In the end, it will lead to a plethora of questions this offseason.