I’ve been privileged to watch a lot of Avalanche hockey. Seeing the Avs put up a staggering seven goals against one of the best goaltenders in the league while allowing zero in our net was undoubtedly the best game I have ever seen this Avalanche club play. Maybe the best in franchise history. The Avalanche are blessed offensively; they score in spurts but tend to sit back once they have a comfortable lead and allow sloppy mistakes that give the opposition a chance to get back in the game.
Not in Game 2.
The Avs’ outshot, outscored, and out-skated the Lightning, making the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions look like The Mighty Ducks, pre Coach Bombay, compared to a dynastic franchise. The Avalanche had an answer to every move the Lightning attempted and kept them to five shots on goal in the first period, with Vasilevskiy allowing three first-period goals on 11 shots. The Avs held Tampa to 16 shots for the entire game, compared to the Avalanche’s 30. Darcy Kuemper was perfect; Vasilevskiy was human.
The Avs capitalized early in the first on a power play and didn’t relent for the full 60 minutes, with Big Val Nichushkin getting two goals and Conn Smythe/Norris Trophy candidate Cale Makar also knocking in two, one being a short-handed goal. Newly acquired Manson and Helm also contributed to the bombardment of goals. Vasilevskiy has never allowed seven goals in his playoff career and only one other time in the regular season against the Arizona Coyotes in 2020. For a fair-weather fan, it might have been a dull game. For Avs fans, it was heaven on ice. Utter domination. Period.
In their touchdown victory over Tampa, the Avs have scored seven or more goals against their opponents four times in this playoff run. Only the 1919 Seattle Metropolitans and Mario Lemiuex’s 1991 Penguins have accomplished that in NHL playoff history. It was also that same 1991 Penguins’ club that holds the record for the most goals scored in a Stanley Cup Final with an 8-0 defeat of the Minnesota North Stars. Before that, it was that 1919 Seattle team that beat the Canadians 7-0. If we are comparing the Avs to a team from 1919, this Avalanche team is entering an elite status.
Let’s not forget that the Avs also were the superior team in Game 1, out shooting them 38-23, but gave up two-goal leads twice, and sent them to overtime tied at 3. It only took Andre Burakovsky 1:23 to put one past Vasilevskiy for the game-winning goal. The Avs deserved the win and now have a substantial 2-0 series lead heading into Tampa.
The Avalanche has not lost on the road.
I imagine Tampa flying home to look like a cartoon character who has been hit in the head with a sledgehammer, complete with stars circling their head, and birds chirping.
With their Game 2 victory, the Avs are now 14-2 in the playoffs and on track to be one of the best teams in NHL history. A select handful of clubs have clinched the Cup with a 16-4 record, the 2012 LA Kings being the last to do so. Only one team has gone 16-2, which goes to Gretzky’s 1988 Oilers.
As easy as it seems, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. The job is not done, and the Avs are traveling to Tampa, where the Bolts recently came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Rangers. Despite Vasilveskiy’s goal allowance in Game 2, he is one of the best in the world for a reason. He has the ability to win the game for his team. The Avalanche embarrassed a team that is going for their third straight Cup. Their dynasty is on the line, and they will fight as hard as possible to regain control of the series.
However, Nathan MacKinnon has yet to record a goal in the series, which is only a matter of time until he does, and with the possible return of one of their top scorers, Kadri, to the lineup, will Tampa’s adjustments be enough to stop the high-flying Avalanche? They might be able to win a game or two, but like any Colorado thunderstorm, it will be fleeting.
The Avs have Lord Stanley within their grasp, and if they continue to play to their identity, the Stanley Cup will return for the Mile High City sooner rather than later.
Fourteen down, and two wins to go.