The Colorado Avalanche are trying to figure out how to climb out of the hole they’ve dug against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final. One thing is clear: they need better contributions from some of their well-paid forwards.
Specifically, Martin Necas, Brock Nelson and Nazem Kadri. The trio has combined for exactly one assist in Colorado’s two games against the Golden Knights. That’s not nearly good enough if the Avalanche are going to beat Vegas.
Lack of Production From Key Forwards
Necas is still looking for his first point in the Western final, after putting up 11 points in his first nine Stanley Cup playoff games this year. Kadri has just a single assist against Vegas, after posting six points in his first nine playoff games this year. Nelson had three points in nine games in the first two rounds, but he’s been held off the scoresheet completely in the Western final.
Avs superstar center Nathan MacKinnon needs to have the pressure taken off him, and that’s where Necas, Nelson, and Kadri factor in. Nelson and Kadri are secondary scorers for this deep and talented Avalanche team. Being virtually shut out by the Golden Knights means that Colorado’s veterans not named MacKinnon need to be doing much more than they’ve been doing in this Western final series.
Golden Knights’ Defensive Strategy
Necas excels at carrying the puck through the neutral zone and into high danger areas of the offensive zone, but Vegas has shut that down. Necas is one of the most skilled players in the league, but he’s been frustrated by Vegas’ defensive players.
Nelson has struggled taking faceoffs, winning just 48.7 percent of his draws. He’s been completely shut down on offense by the Golden Knights, after he posted 33 goals and 65 points in 81 regular-season games. He’s great at getting into the slot and in front of the net, but he’s been denied those spaces.
Kadri has been one of Colorado’s most physically engaged players in this post-season, but he hasn’t posted offense the way he did in the regular season, when he posted 50 points in 77 games. The Golden Knights have been quick to close down his time and space, and he hasn’t been able to adjust.
Playoff Experience Should Be a Factor
It’s not as if Necas, Kadri and Nelson are newcomers to the pressures that come with playoff action. Kadri is a Cup winner, and Necas and Nelson have both played many post-season games. There’s really no excuse for them not to be producing at this time of year.
Eichel’s Impact
- Vegas Golden Knights star center Jack Eichel is dominating the Stanley Cup playoffs.
- He is outplaying Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon.
- Eichel is powering Vegas’ surge toward their second Cup with his elite playmaking and stellar defensive effort.
Other Avalanche players also need to step up.