Avalanche Prove Versatility Is Its Most Dangerous Asset

Logan O’Connor was the biggest standout. He had a goal disallowed due to goaltender interference in the second period but came back undeterred in the third to give the Avalanche what felt like an insurmountable 2-0 lead.

The persistent pressure caused by their forechecking caused issues for the Kings all game. It was just one of a few factors leading to the defensively dominant performance by the Avalanche, but it was a critical one.

Goaltending Snuffed Out the Kings’ Chances

When the Kings did manage to get pressure, they were immediately and almost totally shut down by Scott Wedgewood. Coming into the playoffs, some were left to wonder if Wedgewood would split duties with Mackenzie Blackwood, but Wedgewood tightened his grasp on the starting job.

There will be games in this postseason in which the Avalanche unleash on the opposition, pouring in goals by the bunch. For games like this, where the margin for error is a lot narrower, Wedgewood will be a difference-maker.

A Grating Physical Presence

Dealing with their smothering team defense and outstanding goaltending is tough enough if you’re the Kings. That said, it is even tougher knowing that it is unlikely to keep down the elite offensive talents that the Avalanche possess.

That said, the Avalanche may not even need offensive fireworks if they can continue to wear the Kings down with their physicality. Game 1 was particularly physical,  and the Kings won the night in that regard with a 49-35 edge.

The Avalanche don’t need to deliver big hits to wear teams down, however. They have a lineup of big, physical players who slowly grind you down to a nub. They roll four lines and three defensive pairs that can make opponents think twice when they have the puck, and that makes a huge difference in a seven-game series.

President’s Trophy Winners for a Reason

Everything being said isn’t exactly news. You don’t win the President’s Trophy on luck, and the Avalanche did everything possible at the trade deadline to bolster their lineup and shore up any perceived weaknesses.

Being able to win in any number of ways is something that the best of the best, the true champions, do when the level of competition ratchets up. On any given night, the Avalanche can play a game that wears down opponents and smothers them before they even have a chance.