Projecting the Colorado Avalanche lineup for Game 1 of the NHL playoffs

A quick look at the Avalanche right now

The Colorado Avalanche are headed to the playoffs and likely to open against the rival Dallas Stars. There are a lot of moving parts to this roster, which means head coach Jared Bednar has a lot to consider for setting his roster. In my last article, I discussed what Bednar could do with his forward lines and here I'm projecting the roster for game one against Dallas.

Another round of the injury bug has hit Colorado after Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas were injured against Chicago. On top of that, they were already missing Samuel Girard and Josh Manson on the back end. Unfortunately, there hasn't been much news for anyone to return, but I feel pretty strongly that all will play in game one. I am going to include all of these players in my projected lineup.

The other big roster part is the seemingly inevitable return of our captain, Gabriel Landeskog. For this article, we're going to choose not to include him. There are simply just too many scenarios to consider.

The forward lines

For the top line, I chose Lehkonen and Nichushkin to be MacKinnon's wingers. For as dynamite as the Necas-MacKinnon connection has been, I just feel like Lehkonen is going to find his game. He's always been a clutch playoff performer and keeping him up with MacKinnon makes sense. Big Val has been a bit quiet lately, but I like adding his size and game to complement Nate and Lehky.

Getting Nelson fully acclimated will be an ongoing thing up to and into the playoffs. I feel like Necas and Nelson can get each other even more comfortable in the offensive system. Drouin's stickhandling and positional game go great with Necas and Nelson playing as big guys up front. Necas and MacKinnon share very similar skill sets and I strongly believe Necas can drive this second line and produce.

This is a new third line that I thought played well in the Columbus and St. Louis games. The big change to the lineup is Miles Wood. I chose him over Joel Kiviranta because I like his energy and his chemistry with Ross Colton. Against both the Blue Jackets and Blues, these three played strong games. Charlie Coyle has been quiet since arriving at the deadline, but he's started to heat up. I think Wood bringing his wrecking ball style to this line really fits with the energy Colton and Coyle provide.

The fourth line is, and has been, locked down. I can't change this line. They are too good at what they do. They're excellent at shutting down opposing top lines. They're excellent at forechecking and pressuring through the neutral zone. Both Parker Kelly and Logan O'Connor have been providing solid depth scoring. Jack Drury is huge on faceoffs. In my opinion, this has been the most consistent line for Bednar and the Avalanche this season.

Joel Kiviranta and Jimmy Vesey are the extra forwards and they both bring something valuable to the lineup and Bednar plays everyone, so they'll get time. Kiviranta is having a career year, but as I said above, Wood has stronger chemistry with Colton. Kiviranta may slot into the lineup better in game two or three. Vesey provides a tough, veteran presence in the bottom six, and I see him getting into the lineup if the Avs want to play more physical.

The defensive pairs

Of course, the top pair is what you'd expect. Cale Makar is the first defenseman to score 30 goals in 16 years, and ninth ever to do it. He's set career highs in goals and points and is likely to win another Norris trophy. I thought Toews struggled last year and earlier this season, but he's returned to his elite defender status. This is arguably the best defense pair in the league.

On the second line, most people would expect Manson instead of Malinski here, but I think his playstyle is too much like Lindgren's for them to be paired together. I've liked the combination of Lindgren and Malinski that we've seen recently. Malinski has found his game and has been excellent over the last few weeks. Lindgren's big body defensive game complements Malinski's more offensive style.

For most of this season the second pair was Girard and Manson and I've decided to keep them together. Despite what I've seen from many fans, I actually think these two play very well together. Manson's feast or famine play can be frustrating, but you can't deny that Manson can change the course of a game. In addition, Girard has been there to save some plays for Manson all season. I think Sammy G is great at reading the play and knowing when to pinch in or get back, because he's been bailing Manson out all season.

Our extra defensemen are Keaton Middleton and The Condor, Erik Johnson. Both have gotten a lot of playing time lately and are clearly the seventh and eighth defensemen on the roster. Middleton has only played in 40 games in his career. He's played well this season and has been great at filling the "Jack Johnson" role, but he's clearly limited. EJ has obviously lost a step, as he's likely on his final quest for a Stanley Cup, but he can still contribute and provide quality minutes.

The goaltenders

Everyone knows that Mackenzie Blackwood is the starter and Scott Wedgewood will be backing him up. While Blackwood has seemed a bit off lately, I don't see him being unseated. However, I am very confident in Wedgewood going in to the playoffs. I haven't liked a backup goalie this much since Pavel Francouz.

Matching up with Dallas

Ultimately, deciding the lineup depends on your opponent. It's another reason I slotted Miles Wood in over Joel Kiviranta. Dallas often ends up just pushing the Avalanche around in the playoffs, but this year is different. The Avs are much bigger with the additions of Lindgren, Nelson, and Coyle. Obviously, both teams can score in bunches, but I think the fourth line can shutdown Dallas' stars. The Avalanche also have playoff monster Valeri Nichushkin and the Stars don't.

I think a major factor of this matchup will be the defense. And I really don't think it's close. If Dallas is without Miro Heiskanen, who is likely out for the first round, the right side of the Stars defense is pretty suspect. In fact, after Thomas Harley, I think the left side of their defense is pretty weak as well. If Girard and Manson both return, I think the Avs defense group is far and away better than the Stars'.

The biggest factor in this series is the goaltending. Blackwood is a great goaltender, but he's never played in the playoffs. That is always a major concern for goaltenders. On the Dallas side, they have Jake Oettinger, one of the best goaltenders in the league. I am confident in Blackwood to not let the pressure of the playoffs get to him. Colorado has played well against Oettinger, scoring seven goals on him in two outings.

The Avalanche and Stars are teams that are built to beat each other. Colorado's depth, especially at center, is much better than it has been the last couple of years. If Colorado can get and stay healthy, I think they can hold the Stars off. This looks like one of the most exciting first rounds this year, and could be an all-time great series. Hopefully the Avalanche can beat the Stars and make it out of round one unscathed.