DENVER (AP) – The Colorado Avalanche face a challenging situation as they head to Vegas for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, trailing 2-0 in the series after suffering two losses at home.
The team is missing star defenseman Cale Makar and has scored only three goals, a stark contrast to their status as the league’s highest-scoring team.
Forward Logan O’Connor expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We dug a hole. It’s on us (to get out).” The Avalanche aim to turn the tide against the Golden Knights, who have historically maintained a perfect record in similar playoff scenarios since 1982.
Historical Context
The Avalanche have previously navigated difficult playoff circumstances, recalling a similar scenario from 1999 when they lost two consecutive home games against Detroit in the Western Conference semifinals but ultimately rallied to win the series.
Need for Momentum Shift
Goaltender Scott Wedgewood acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, emphasizing the necessity to alter the narrative in favor of the Avalanche in their opponent’s arena. Colorado’s previous regular-season performance in Vegas, where they secured two victories, offers a glimmer of hope.
Strategic Approach
Forward Parker Kelly noted the importance of leveraging the crowd atmosphere to their advantage. He remarked, “Any building you go into, you can kind of use the crowd noise and advantage in your favor.” The Avalanche recognize the need to withstand the initial pressure from the Golden Knights and quickly establish their game plan.
Comparative Experiences
The Golden Knights, who previously overcame a 2-0 deficit in a second-round series against Colorado in 2021, serve as a reminder of the challenges the Avalanche now face. Forward Nicolas Roy, who was part of that Golden Knights team, shared insights on the importance of effort and momentum in shifting the series dynamics.
Potential Return of Cale Makar
The Avalanche may regain Cale Makar, a candidate for the Norris Trophy, after he missed the first two games due to an upper-body injury. Coach Jared Bednar stated, “He will tell us when he’s ready to play,” emphasizing the need for Makar to feel fully prepared to contribute on the ice.
Team Sentiment and Performance Analysis
Bednar described the team’s atmosphere as a mix of anger and frustration, which he deemed normal given their performance. He noted, “We need to do a little bit better job of forcing them into a few more mistakes, and we have to clean up some of our own.” Despite outshooting the Golden Knights, the Avalanche’s top scorers have struggled against the opponent’s defense.
Looking Ahead
Bednar expressed confidence that the Avalanche have not yet showcased their best performance, stating, “They still haven’t seen our best, and maybe we haven’t seen their best, either.” He emphasized the potential for improvement in various aspects of their game as they prepare for Game 3.