For the first time since the 2014–15 season, when they were quickly swept by the Chicago Blackhawks, the Minnesota Wild have advanced to the second round. They have earned a meeting with the Colorado Avalanche, who won the Presidents’ Trophy, after defeating the excellent Dallas Stars squad in six games this season.
The Wild will be playing a physically demanding series against the Stars, and the Avalanche will have plenty of rest after sweeping the Los Angeles Kings, so it will be a difficult series. However, I believe the Wild have a decent chance of pulling off the upset.
Well-being and Rest
This one is a little obvious, but it will be really important. In short order, the Avalanche defeated the Kings. In contrast to the Wild, who concluded their series four days later on April 30, they closed their series on April 26 since they were able to finish the sweep.
In addition to the Avalanche’s advantage of getting plenty of rest, the Wild are facing serious ailments going into this series. Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin are not traveling to Colorado with the squad, thus it appears that they will miss both Games 1 and 2.
Eriksson Ek was outstanding in Round 1, scoring three goals and dishing out two helpers in six games, but the Wild’s center depth is already a vulnerability. Furthermore, I believe that this Avs team’s center depth is its greatest asset.
It would be a significant swing in the series if the Wild could secure one victory before returning to Minnesota for Game 3. However, the Avalanche have a great opportunity to seize a 2-0 lead over a Wild squad that just emerged victorious in a series.
Can the Avalanche Get Into a Fight with the Wild?
The Avalanche defeated the Kings 4-2 with an empty net goal in Game 3, although the previous two games were one-goal affairs. The Kings used a stifling neutral zone trap to keep games close. The Wild should try to make Colorado play their game, but I don’t think they should even worry about it because they are far superior against the Kings.
I believe Colorado wins the series if it becomes a track meet, even though the Wild can skate with the Avalanche. They must therefore physically dominate the Stars both during and after play, just as they did with the Stars.
The two Foligno brothers made up the fourth line, which was physically formidable versus Dallas and had a significant impact on the series. They can both be annoying, and I believe you need to include them in the battle if you want them to win this series.
They can push Colorado away from their game and get under their skin if they can drag them into the mud and aggravate players like Nazem Kadri, who have a history of losing his temper.
How the Faber-Hughes Pairing Is Handled in Colorado
Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber were outstanding against the Stars. Together, they had a 53.1 percent expected goals percentage (xG%) throughout the series and were excellent at passing the puck through the neutral zone.
