Western Conference Quarterfinal
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
Season series: Avalanche won 4-0-1
They have a history: These former Northwest Division rivals will be meeting for the third time in a playoff setting. Back in 2003, as part of their incredible run to the Western Conference final, the Wild surged back from a three-games-to-one series deficit, defeating the Avalanche and sending the legend, Patrick Roy, into retirement. Their next meeting came in 2008, but on this occasion, the Avalanche got the better of the No. 3-seeded Wild, dispatching them in six after the first three games required overtime.
For the Avalanche to win: With leading scorer Matt Duchene sidelined with an MCL injury, others must step up. Alongside Gabriel Landeskog (65 regular-season points) and Nathan MacKinnon (63), veteran centre Paul Stastny has done that in a big way, recording 12 points in his last 11 games heading into the post-season. A steady offensive attack will be key against Ilya Bryzgalov and the stingy Wild defence, featuring the likes of Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin, the minute-munching defencemen sure to get the bulk of the workload against the Avs’ top unit. On the flip side, in a series likely to be decided by a throng of low-scoring affairs, goaltending will have to be impeccable. Semyon Varlamov recorded 41 wins this year, setting a new Avalanche franchise record for W’s in a single season. The Wild aren’t exactly an offensive powerhouse, but if Varlamov can play anywhere near the level he’s capable, Colorado should be the odds-on favourite to advance.
Best Avalanche storyline: Draft lottery winners a year ago, the Avalanche have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround guided by youth. Duchene, Landeskog, MacKinnon and Ryan O’Reilly are all 23 or younger. So begins a new age in Avalanche territory.
Leading scorer: Matt Duchene, 70 points (23 goals, 47 assists)
Game 1 starter: Semyon Varlamov, 41-14-6, 2.41 goals-against average, .927 save percentage
For the Wild to win: In the absence of Josh Harding, Bryzgalov (7-1-3, 2.12 goals-against average, .911 save percentage with Minnesota) must steal a game, or two, or three. Since being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers, the 33-year-old has lost only once in regulation, securing seven wins and three shutouts in the process. He’ll have to be perfect. Offensively, goals will be at a premium against the Avs, who climbed 15 spots in goals against this year, thanks in large part to the emergence of an Erik Johnson-led defence core. Jason Pominville, Zach Parise, Matt Moulson and Mikko Koivu must open it up at times, outduelling the Avs’ young snipers, and they’ll need contributions from the back end.
Best Wild storyline: The NHL’s ultimate workhorse is sure to be ridden hard. Ryan Suter led all skaters in average ice time this season, playing more than 29 minutes per game. With some of the league’s most talented young stars on the other side, Suter may never leave the ice in this series.
Leading scorer: Jason Pominville, 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists)
Game 1 starter: Ilya Bryzgalov, 12-9-8, 2.68 goals-against average, .909 save percentage
Matchup to watch: Beyond the obvious (goaltending), special teams are critical to any team’s success in the playoffs. In this case, the edge has to be given to the Avalanche, whose fifth-ranked power play operated at a 19.8 percent clip in the regular season. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s penalty kill was one of the worst in the NHL, thwarting just 78.8 percent of the opposition’s opportunities.
Big question: How will Patrick Roy and Mike Yeo handle the matchups, both at home and on the road? In a series likely to be decided — at least, in large part — by goaltending, neither side will want to give an inch. Do the stars go head-to-head, or will the coaches try to allot softer assignments for their skilled players?
Best bet: Avalanche in six.
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