Devon Toews is kidding when he says he “tries to get away from” his D-partner but that Cale Makar just won’t let him. But their opponents – whether that’s in the NHL or internationally – may not quite see humor in the prospect of the Avs’ top pair playing together long term.
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Are they back to being the team to beat when it comes to the Stanley Cup?
Are they back to being the team to beat when it comes to the Stanley Cup?
Yeah, I think so.
Yeah, I think so.
I think that couple things there.
I think that couple things there.
One is as an Avs fan, I’m happy they had that slump, ’cause I was getting a little nervous of the Tampa, whatever year that was- Right the Boston, for these teams who just have no adversity and then somehow end up down 3-1 in the first round, and that’s the story.
One is as an Avs fan, I’m happy they had that slump, ’cause I was getting a little nervous of the Tampa, whatever year that was- Right the Boston, for these teams who just have no adversity and then somehow end up down 3-1 in the first round, and that’s the story.
But I think a lot of it comes to Logan O’Connor’s an important guy for them that people don’t talk about, especially on the penalty kill.
But I think a lot of it comes to Logan O’Connor’s an important guy for them that people don’t talk about, especially on the penalty kill.
He made his season debut, I think, the Pittsburgh game.
He made his season debut, I think, the Pittsburgh game.
Ross Colton’s another good guy.
Ross Colton’s another good guy.
And I think a lot of it, too, comes down to, I mean, I sound like a broken record on here, but Landeskog returning to the lineup.
And I think a lot of it, too, comes down to, I mean, I sound like a broken record on here, but Landeskog returning to the lineup.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Like, he just is such a difference maker for the rest of that team, and I think him coming back, I think he’s been back for three games now, has a huge impact on how they play and how they look as a team.
Like, he just is such a difference maker for the rest of that team, and I think him coming back, I think he’s been back for three games now, has a huge impact on how they play and how they look as a team.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
How about you, Ryan?
How about you, Ryan?
How you feeling about those Avs?
How you feeling about those Avs?
Yeah.
Yeah.
I think, I think they’re the favorite, but it’s, it’s not a runaway favorite because as we’ve talked about basically every week on this, the Central is a meat grinder.
I think, I think they’re the favorite, but it’s, it’s not a runaway favorite because as we’ve talked about basically every week on this, the Central is a meat grinder.
And, you know, they will have the advantage of not playing Dallas or Minnesota in the first round, in all likelihood, and Dallas and Minnesota will have to play each other.
And, you know, they will have the advantage of not playing Dallas or Minnesota in the first round, in all likelihood, and Dallas and Minnesota will have to play each other.
so you know, hypothetically, Colorado’s gonna be in a better spot heading into the second round, assuming they beat whoever they face in the wild card.
so you know, hypothetically, Colorado’s gonna be in a better spot heading into the second round, assuming they beat whoever they face in the wild card.
but you’d rather have that path, right?
but you’d rather have that path, right?
Like, you’d, you’d rather not have to face Dallas or the Wild based on how they’re playing.
Like, you’d, you’d rather not have to face Dallas or the Wild based on how they’re playing.
But, you know, you’ve got MacKinnon, you’ve got Makar, you’ve got two goaltenders you trust.
But, you know, you’ve got MacKinnon, you’ve got Makar, you’ve got two goaltenders you trust.
You know, you have all those players that Drew mentioned that, that helped them in their return.
You know, you have all those players that Drew mentioned that, that helped them in their return.
I could certainly see the Avalanche playing for the Stanley Cup.
I could certainly see the Avalanche playing for the Stanley Cup.
it is, it is the most likely scenario in the West.
it is, it is the most likely scenario in the West.
No- no one else- Tim guys, they also have Nicholas Wa who’s got three goals in nine games.
No- no one else- Tim guys, they also have Nicholas Wa who’s got three goals in nine games.
One more goal than Nazem Kadri has scored.
One more goal than Nazem Kadri has scored.
Like, what are we seeing out of these, like, these guys who just came in and, you know, I, I guess maybe it took a little while for Kadri to find his game, but, like, Nicholas Wa’s got three goals.
Like, what are we seeing out of these, like, these guys who just came in and, you know, I, I guess maybe it took a little while for Kadri to find his game, but, like, Nicholas Wa’s got three goals.
Did he even score three goals with the Leafs this year?
Did he even score three goals with the Leafs this year?
No, I don’t think so.
No, I don’t think so.
And I think the Kadri, I think Kadri’s finally gonna go back to the middle, which as a guy who played both, I think I mean, he’s a fantastic hockey player, but he’s clearly a center iceman, and I think that, I mean, he did whatever he could.
And I think the Kadri, I think Kadri’s finally gonna go back to the middle, which as a guy who played both, I think I mean, he’s a fantastic hockey player, but he’s clearly a center iceman, and I think that, I mean, he did whatever he could.
But he’s definitely a guy who’s really good at bringing the puck through the middle of the ice and isn’t great, I would say, as a wall guy kinda getting his feet going.
But he’s definitely a guy who’s really good at bringing the puck through the middle of the ice and isn’t great, I would say, as a wall guy kinda getting his feet going.
So I think that him getting back into the middle’s gonna be huge for him taking off.
So I think that him getting back into the middle’s gonna be huge for him taking off.
But he has gotten their power play rolling.
But he has gotten their power play rolling.
I mean, their power play since he’s been back, he- their p- their first power play, which has been horrible all year, especially with the talent they have, seems to have found their rhythm.
I mean, their power play since he’s been back, he- their p- their first power play, which has been horrible all year, especially with the talent they have, seems to have found their rhythm.
So I think that that’s something that’s gonna help them a lot come the playoffs as well.
So I think that that’s something that’s gonna help them a lot come the playoffs as well.