Colorado Avalanche

It pains me to say it but:

• Dallas was the better team
• Avs didn’t get enough traffic in front of Ottinger like they did in game 5.
• Duchene scoring the winning goal stings, but if he’s going to win a cup, his best chance is this year with Dallas. A Stars/Panthers final would be a physical battle for sure.
• Avs won’t get the chance to beat Canucks or Oilers, which they could have probably besten
• Parise not winning a cup is a bummer
• Dallas impressed me with their energy in series after their 7 game series in round 1. Hats off to them.

Looking ahead:

• team still has 2–3 year cup window if managed well and able to stay healthy
• hopefully Landeskog can come back and be effective or great
• As an Avs fan, I wish Nichuskin well but I don’t want to see him in an Avs jersey ever again. Too much of a risk and he has torpedoed two playoff runs in a row. Team needs to find a way to move him and use money to sign Druin or keep a healthy Landeskog on team.
• Georgiev saved his career with solid play and earned the chance to stay in the number one role. Annunen looks primed for opportunity though if Georgiev falters.
• Avs 4th and 3rd lines can be better with a full year of Kovalenko. Cogliano may have to leave or retire to open a spot.
• I really like Middlestad in that 2C position moving forward.
• If Avs and Landeskog can rest up and maintain their hunger, I still like their chances to compete for cups over next 2–3 years.