Golden Knights – Avalanche: Remember This Series

The Vegas Golden Knights controlled Game Four from start to finish. They established the offensive zone presence, capitalized on the power play, essentially outplayed the Avalanche. The Golden Knights particularly were able to win in transition, creating turnovers and instantly turning them into scoring chances. The Golden Knights needed to win their two home games to remain competitive. They did just that, evening the series against the Avalanche.

This series was regarded as a Stanley Cup Predictor in a way. After all, these two teams finished the regular season with the two best records in the NHL. The series had a lot of hype but has far and beyond exceeded that hype. The recent game might have been a disappointment but the series is shaping up to be one to remember. With the series essentially being a best-of-three at this point, there are reasons to believe this will have a great finish to this Second Round series.

Penalties are Truly Consequential

In this series, the power play has truly impacted the games and been a key difference-maker. The Golden Knights have scored only twice in 11 opportunities but one of the goals came in Game Four and helped give Vegas the momentum in the game. The Avalanche meanwhile, have scored five goals in this series on 15 power plays. Moreover, the Avalanche have only seen four power plays in the past two games, both of which have been losses.

The two teams are built to win on the power play, particularly Colorado, as the series has shown. The Golden Knights will allow Alex Pietrangelo as the sole defenseman, to make plays from the point, as he masterfully does, while the top-line forwards all look for creases in the four-skater defense. If that shift fails, Alec Martinez and Shea Theodore double as shooting defensemen while Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone try to create near the net. For the Avalanche the story is a bit different as one shift is unstoppable if on the power play. The Avalanche will play Cale Makar, arguably the best young defenseman in the game, at the point while the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen all pose a threat to create a goal by themselves (which essentially happened in the Game Two overtime winner by Rantanen).

The Doubling Impact

The power play has been a unique aspect of this series, more impactful than it would be typical. Not only have both teams been able to impact the game when given the skater advantage, but the teams have also been forced to pivot as a result. Vegas for one made it a priority to limit the opportunities given, a strategy that has been a success in the past two games. Moreover, both teams are well aware that any hit, at any time, can result in a penalty. This has forced the game into a more fluid, free-flowing style. Both teams are more inclined to force turnovers rather than deliver that penalty-risking hit. Generally, a penalty isn’t as big a deal, in this series, both teams can make their opponents pay.

Matchups Can Only Be Exposed So Many Times

This matchup has been one of, well, matchups. These are two teams built that are talented enough to thrive in the regular season, as they have. The question was, how would they stack up in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This series particularly is one where a team can notice a certain or specific weakness in an individual and expose that weakness throughout a game. In the past two games, the Vegas defense has recognized the struggles the Avalanche top-line have in transition making it difficult for them to establish an offensive presence after a turnover. This has allowed the Golden Knights to set up defensively after turnovers and limit the damage that would otherwise be normal against the Avalanche. Likewise, the Avalanche defense is built off speed in their defensive pairings but the forwards don’t have the expected impact in transition.

These two weaknesses were only recently exploited, after being discovered in the first two games. The problem for Vegas is that they are unlikely to last long. The Avalanche had similar matchups in the first two games, such as the top-shelf shots on Marc-Andre Fleury. The problem is that Vegas adapted. Both teams have complete rosters and when a weakness is exposed, it can easily be covered up. The series is only going to have more matchups and adjustments. Each time a team finds a weakness, which they constantly do, it’s only a matter of time before the opponent finds out it’s being exposed.

Vezina-Caliber Goaltenders Meeting Their Match

Anyone that has watched at least one game in this series can tell you that both these goaltenders are worthy of the Vezina Trophy. Philipp Grubauer and Marc-Andre Fleury have been incredible this season with the playoffs being no exception. The numbers might be deceiving, with some of the games being high-scoring. But make no mistake, these goaltenders have kept their teams in these games with some remarkable saves and great performances.

The best part is, even these Vezina Trophy finalists have been overwhelmed. Essentially, two of the three finalists for the best goaltender award of the season have been exposed in this series. Many people would discredit Grubauer or Fleury but these offenses will make any goaltender look embarrassing and they have. The Avalanche were able to constantly bombard shots on the net in Game Two with speed and great puck movement. Likewise, the Golden Knights were able to establish a quick passing offense with effective play from the point in the recent game. Two world-class offenses are defeating at will two of the best goaltenders in the game. When these teams do this, it makes for a great show, by the way.

Avalanche and Golden Knights Were Built With the Historical Knowledge of Cup Teams

One can’t look at the series without thinking about how it’s a masterclass for team-building. These two teams have been a showcase on how to build for a Stanley Cup. Moreover, both front offices were thinking of what other Stanley Cup teams looked like when building their teams. The First Round reminded us how a Stanley Cup team differs from a great regular season team. These two teams only personify that.

Vegas Golden Knights

Granted, Vegas did it overnight, drafting a super team that reaches the Final in its first season. However, the remarkable thing for anyone is how they’ve been able to remain competitive. They were good their first season but were due for drop-off. What Vegas did to remain competitive is interesting and worth thinking about. Yes, they traded young prospects like Nick Suzuki for star scorers like Max Pacioretty. Yes, they traded for Mark Stone at the 2019 NHL trade deadline with the intention of extending him (they did). However, the Golden Knights also found a way to snag Alec Martinez from the LA Kings, a team desperate for a rebuild, only to see the veteran defenseman become a key piece in the team’s defense and Cup-caliber team. Likewise, the front office signed Alex Pietrangelo, solely for a Cup-run, with his offensive ability from the point.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche meanwhile, struggled for years, failing to make the playoffs up until the 2017-18 NHL season. What made the Avalanche interesting is when they realized they were a Cup-contender. Basically, the moment they realized they had Cale Makar to compliment an established top line, they knew they had to build around that. The fact that the Avalanche had a top line, arguably one of the best in the game, made to job easier. The big thing for the Avalanche was finding backend scoring, particularly, veteran scoring. After acquiring Brandon Saad, Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskio, and Nazem Kadri, we saw a team with goals-scorers with playoff experience as well. To only add to the Cup intentions, the Avalanche traded for Devon Toews, a two-way defenseman that could add scoring from the point. Likewise, the Avalanche added Patrick Nemeth, a big, hard-hitting defenseman for tougher playoff games.

Only two games have been close thus far, but expect a memorable finish

The Avalanche looked like a team of destiny in 2018-19, only to lose in Game Seven to the Sharks. The next season, they looked like the team to beat in the Edmonton “hub city” but unfortunately lost in overtime in Game Seven to the Stars. The same could be said for the Vegas Golden Knights. They were the shock of the NHL in 2017-18 but weren’t even expected to be anywhere near the Cup Final. The next two seasons have only been shocking disappointments, losing to the same two teams the Avalanche have lost to in the last two playoffs. The two teams are playing each other with the Stanley Cup poised to go to the winner. These two teams are the two to beat in the NHL and have played as such all season. This series is now a best-of-three and have already been a great one.