Playing With House Money

Going into the second round series the theory was that the Avalanche, who were coming off of what seemed like a month of rest, would be able to stand up to a San Jose squad that essentially lucked its way to a game seven victory against Las Vegas. 

This game was to be a test of the controversial “rest vs. play” hockey theory which states that, seemingly depending on the weather, that either a well rested team should beat a team fresh off of a grueling run of games, or that a team coming straight off one strong series will carry that momentum into the next, easily defeating a team that has been relaxing. 

Trumpets blared, and people rocked forward in their seats, for it was a chance for Science, glorious Science, to light the way. For in 21st century America, logic rules and nothing shall counter the raw litmus of Science! 

Sites like Mile High Hockey spent all week propping up the Avalanche as contenders who were above playing with house money. They were not just “hot at the right time,” the pundits stated. They did not just “match up well” with a suddenly slumping Calgary team. The Avalanche were meant to be taken seriously. 

As it went from Colorado’s perspective, San Jose would be worn out, especially goalkeeper Martin Jones who has been the definition of Swiss cheese this season. And the Avalanche, who had made quick work of Calgary, the best team in the Western Conference, would stand up to a Sharks squad that, although deep and featuring a power play that on paper was somewhere between “terrifying” and “not fair,” could not handle the youthful exuberance of a team that was suddenly four lines deep and well rested. 

And as Avs fans expected...our boys lost handily——— in Game 1, because of course they did. 

-like a frat boy pounding free drinks at nickel slots

-lost it like a sorority chick turning 21 on the Vegas Strip. 

— like a teacher in May dropping a week’s pay into a bar top poker machine hoping for a few more bucks to help them afford a foreboding summer of costly weddings that, sure, anyone with a manager’s salary at Denny’s could afford but not us teachers, am I right Sheila?!

(I was told that the Avalanche would be playing the Knights in the second round so I have a surplus of Vegas jokes that need to be liquidated faster than the four day old seafood at an all-you-can-eat-buffet.)

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “You have no faith, D’Albey! I’m an Avs fan since before forever and you can go stand in the trash along with the other people who are wrong about things! Like the people who thought Betamax would be profitable because it had superior image quality and was better built than VHS even though the shorter tapes made it incompatible with the nascent rental market of the 1980’s! Take that, genius!”

But as I cautioned early in the Calgary series, the Avalanche might be plucky but despite the form they took in the first round they still are not a deep hockey team. They might have depth people show up to play from time to time, but you can’t tell me, for example, that a grinder like Matt Nieto, who before the Calgary series hadn’t scored since December 6th, was just lying in wait and is actually a point per game player. 

Now, there is hope. The Avalanche were fast during Game 1. They were able to break containment and cause problems in the opposition zone, and they did manage to possess the puck fairly well before the wheels came off in the third period. If they can get back to playing disciplined in their own zone; If their grinders can play above their heads; If MacKinnon and company can get some bounces, things will change. But, until then, we will need to be wearing out our rabbit feet, healing crystals, essential oils, and pyramid hats. 

Because, Science!