2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round One: Avalanche Vs. Predators
Listen, I have 2022 NFL Draft grades to write and 100 other things to do. If you came to read an Andrew McGuinness style write up for this post, you came to the wrong place. Andrew and Gavin did a great job breaking the other matchups down. The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs round one preview between the Avalanche and Predators is going to be pretty brief because there really is no reason to go super in depth for this matchup anyway.
Colorado Avalanche (56-19-7, No. 1 Central) Vs. Nashville Predators (45-30-7, No. 5 Central – No.2 Wildcard)
Recent History:
These two teams have only met in the playoffs on one occasion. Colorado lost in 6 games during the first round of the 2017-18 playoffs. Obviously, this Avalanche team is a bit different from the one back then. That season was Matt Duchene’s final season with the Avalanche who will now be suiting up for the Preds when these two square off this time around.
Season Series:
Nashville actually owns the season series 3-1. Two of those losses for Colorado were overtime losses so take that for what it’s worth.
Colorado Wins Because:
Let’s not bury the lead here. Colorado will win this series. There isn’t a statistical category the Predators beat Colorado in. Not one. Okay, I lied. Nashville only wins slightly in power play percentage. While Nashville is good in that department, nobody is taking that unit over a healthy Aves squad.
Obviously, those totals include much of the Avalanche roster taking time off. Gabriel Landeskog hasn’t played since March 10th. Nazem Kadri, Devon Toews, Nathan MacKinnon, among others have missed plenty of games for Colorado. We know what the Avalanche are at this point. Anything short of a Cup winning season is a failure.
While I’m not the biggest Darcy Kuemper fan, I would be ignorant to not acknowledge that Colorado has a massive goalie advantage heading into this series. Anything that Kuemper does will likely be better than whatever Dave Rittich gives Nashville. With Juuse Saros on the shelf, it’s hard to give the Preds even a puncher’s chance.
You’re telling me this is the guy who’s going to carry the Predators to a series win over Colorado? Stop it. 12 starts for Rittich this year while sporting a .886 save percentage. This is going to get ugly quick. Do I really need to say anything more?
Nashville Wins Because:
They won’t win but I have to keep the formatting consistent. Look, it’s been a nice year for Nashville. Roman Josi probably made Cale Makar sweat for the Norris. Matt Duchene doesn’t look like one of the worst contracts in the league anymore. Mikael Granlund might actually be okay? Fillip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen also had really nice years.
It’s just hard to see a pathway for Nashville without Saros. We know what that guy is capable of and almost single handily took down Carolina a year ago. He’s damn good if not the best one in the league. There is a reason why he led the league in goalie starts this year.
Players to Watch:
COL:
Any number of names could have been chosen here. I’m going with Gabriel Landeskog for the sole fact that he hasn’t played since March. Was he even really hurt? Was he hurt and we’re not getting the peak version of the captain? Landeskog is really the difference. If that top line is humming, Nashville is dead dogs walking.
NASH:
If Nashville actually has a chance, it has to be the Roman Josi show. Personally, I think Cale Makar is from Pluto and is probably the greatest defenseman the NHL has ever seen. Look, no disrespect to Josi. He’s a great player but if I had to vote for a Norris – the order would go Makar, Hedman, Slavin, then Josi.
Go prove you’re the best. Go show us why you’re the real top dog. Yes, the 23 goal season was nice but he’s gotta do it on both ends in this series. Do I think he can do it? No, but this series will go a long way to show Josi belongs in that Makar class if he can pull off some magic.
The Pick:
Clean sweep. Avalanche in three. I’m sorry but I can’t possibly take the Preds with a banged up Saros. Not even giving them a game. The Avalanche have been waiting for this moment since October. I think we’re going to be straight rocket fuel out of the gates from Colorado.
Oddly Specific Prediction:
I’m not really sure what to go with. The signs aren’t feeding me any specific information. If I have to take a flier on a gamble pick, let’s go with Artturi Lehkonen. He scores the first goal of the series and finds a way to remind us just how deep this Avalanche team is. Nashville is about as big of an underdog as it gets for this opening round of the 2022 Stanely Cup Playoffs.
