The Colorado Avalanche finished off the Los Angeles Kings in an emphatic way, completing the sweep that everyone saw coming. Then again, everyone was thinking ahead to a second-round series matchup that would be much tougher and the Minnesota Wild certainly presented more of a fight in Game 1 than the Kings did in four games.
This was a wild one from start to finish. Goals in bunches and frustrated netminders permeated this game. In the end, the Avalanche continued to pour on the offense and walked away with the 9-6 victory.
There are a few x-factors in this series, and some of them already reared their heads. It was expected that goaltending would play a bigger role int his series and, on the surface, it looks as though both teams got the least out of their goaltending.
The truth of the matter is that team defense was abysmal in this one. Both teams had brutal giveaways, leaving both Jesper Wallstedt and Scott Wedgewood in compromising positions several times throughout the night.
Neither really had a chance to put their best foot forward, especially Wallstedt. It is safe to assume that both sides will tweak things moving forward in order to limit the number of chances surrendered. For both goalies, this is a game they will look to forget as soon as possible.
One of the main storylines coming into the series is the matchup between Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. Both have been in the overall discussion for “best in the world” with both sides having a legitimate argument to be made in their defense.
In Game 1, there is no question that Makar currently holds that lead. Hughes was no slouch, pitching in with a pair of assists. That said, Makar not only came through but came through when it mattered the most.
Makar scored his third and fourth goals of the playoffs in the third period, helping the Avalanche stave off a late push from the Wild. Makar is already off to a hot start in this series and could have himself a great argument for a second Conn Smythe if the Avalanche win the series.
A few guys had themselves a terrific night – shoutout to Devon Toews with a goal and three assists – but it is worth noting that the top line for the Avalanche have really started to gain momentum of late.
They were fine in the opening round against the Kings but didn’t have to be great. In Game 1, the trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, and Martin Necas went off. They combined for two goals and six assists while turning in a cumulative plus-10 rating.
The Avalanche can and will lean on their depth in these playoffs, but it is nice to see their thoroughbreds carrying the load. In this game, everyone had to chip in but the heavy lifting was put in by the big dogs.
Both sides will be looking to make tweaks to improve areas of struggle from Game 1. Team defense on both sides should be far better, so expect fewer fast break chances. Colorado got dominated in the faceoff circle, losing 63% of the draws on the night. Both teams also had a plethora of costly giveaways.
There is a lot of offensive talent in this series but there is no way we will see this kind of output again. After a little break between Games 2 and 3, the series will shift back to Minnesota. It is going to be a fast, physical series where skill will be put to the test. And it is going to be arguably the best series of the playoffs.
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