With the final push to playoffs in full swing, the Colorado Avalanche had a good chance to clinch a bid with a win over the New York Rangers.
Of course, it was conditional. The San Jose Sharks needed to beat the Minnesota Wild, and the St. Louis Blues needed to fall to the Calgary Flames.
Though neither game produced the outcome the Avalanche needed, Colorado looked to be locking into a playoff mindset.
In the last meeting between the two teams, the Avalanche fell to the Rangers in overtime. Knowing the game would be equal from start to finish, the home team would have to be firing on all cylinders.
Nathan MacKinnon’s streak of 35 home games with at least one point ended after they suffered a 3–2 outcome in a shootout, despite their efforts.
The good
The overwhelming impression is how well the Avalanche performed perfectly under pressure. Despite being worked every second of the game, the team did not waver in their determination and grit.
Even though they had trouble holding onto a lead and didn’t get on the board until Casey Mittelstadt netted a goal in the second period, the desire and drive to walk away with a victory was prevalent.
Another look at Mittsy’s goal ⬇️#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/xn2RfL5rNp
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 29, 2024
The constant pressure would be to the team’s benefit during the third period. The Rangers netted their second goal in the middle of the last frame, only for Devon Toews to equalize the game and send the game to overtime three minutes later.
All tied up!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/iOD4SMwNyi
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 29, 2024
The Avalanche’s specialty was putting everything possible on the net. With 40 shots on the net, Igor Shesterkin saved all but two. The most important aspect from now on is the ability to attack any opponent from an offensive angle.
The bad
There isn’t much that went wrong in this game. The Rangers sat at the top of the league and continue to hold the position.
The biggest issue was the difficulty the Avalanche had to get offensive momentum going. Shesterkin wasn’t willing to let anything through, so breaking the ice and getting something moving was no simple task.
To make matters more difficult, Valeri Nichushkin, who is out with a lower-body injury, was missing from the team. His impact on the ice is one of Colorado’s greatest assets, and his absence had an immediately noticeable impact.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different level of play, and the Avalanche have to be ready to make something out of nothing.
Takeaways
Colorado will have another shot at clinching playoffs on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The last meeting also resulted in a 5–1 loss to their division rival back on March 2nd.
Every single game matters, and not just from a points perspective. These last few regular season games are a less risky warmup for postseason. Considering the current trajectory, it seems like the Avalanche are getting into playoff shape and are prepared to make a run for the Stanley Cup.