Coming off a Game 1 win over the Dallas Stars, everything was looking up for the Colorado Avalanche. Even getting just one win on the road gives the Avalanche a slight advantage in the series, but taking both games would be the ultimate coup in what many feel is the best series of the quarterfinals.
Though all the talk beforehand was about the Avalanche lineup, Gabriel Landeskog did not suit up for Game 2. In the end, the Avalanche couldn’t hold onto a late lead and wound up losing in overtime. Let’s look at the takeaways from the tough Game 2 loss.
Blackwood Was Solid
Despite giving up four goals on the night, Mackenzie Blackwood was very solid. Without him, the game may not have even reached overtime, and the Avalanche would not have held a lead into the second half of the third period.
Blackwood’s value to the team was never more apparent than early in overtime. He made a stunning save – one of a few so far in this series – to keep the Avalanche in it. He is going to be a pivotal part of any success the team has in this round and beyond.
The Avalanche need to give Blackwood a little more help (more on that below) because he isn’t superhuman. As well as he has been playing so far, the Avalanche have shot themselves in the foot, and it cost them Game 2 in the process.
Avalanche Need to Manage the Middle of the Ice Better
There is a common denominator with each of the goals, aside from Tyler Seguin’s power play goal to open the scoring for the Stars. Dallas is utilizing the middle of the ice well, cutting off Blackwood’s vision and making it tough for him to make multiple saves in short order.
Thomas Harley got a fortunate whiff while at the point and managed to put a shot through traffic and past Blackwood. Evgenii Dadonov wound up with a prime opportunity in front of the net and buried it. In overtime, Colin Blackwell got a rebound that sat there forever, walked in front untouched, and buried the winner.
Net front defense has consistently been an issue for the Avalanche. They need to be better at responding to chances from the slot and in clearing out pucks with greater consistency. Against the Stars in Game 2, it directly cost them two goals, including the game-winner.
The Avalanche Need More Out of the Middle of the Lineup
Nathan MacKinnon has been as good as can be through two games, scoring three goals and adding an assist. The problem for the Avalanche is that they haven’t been getting a whole lot from the second or third lines when they need it the most.
Valeri Nichushkin, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and others have been largely quiet so far. The same goes for Martin Necas. What makes Colorado such a dangerous contender is that they have pieces all throughout the lineup that can make an impact.
It’s hard to be too critical of the Avalanche so far. The goal in any series is to take one of the first two games on the road, and that is exactly what they have done. In all honesty, it should be a 2-0 Avalanche lead heading back to Denver, but 1-1 is acceptable. With bigger contributions from the middle part of the lineup, this series would be even further in Colorado’s favor.
Game 3 Is Pivotal
The series now moves to Denver for Game 3, and it is vital for each team. If the Stars can steal one on the road, the series shifts back to Dallas, and they would have some momentum going back with them. If the Avalanche can lock things down at home in Games 3 and 4, the series will be theirs to lose.
In a series between two of the best teams in the NHL, both teams are going to have their ups and downs. The Avalanche have done well so far through two games in Dallas, and the series is shaping up well for them.
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