Avalanche 'know the place we stand' coming into Sport 3 in opposition to Jets – NHL.com

Look to take collection lead at house after defeating Winnipeg for 1st time this season in Sport 2
© David Lipnowski/Getty Photos
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche are content material after splitting the primary two video games of the Western Convention First Spherical collection in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets, and are hoping to take the collection lead at house in Sport 3 on Friday (10 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, ALT, TVAS, CBC).
The 5-2 victory in Sport 2 of the best-of-7 collection on Tuesday proved to Colorado that it might defeat Winnipeg after getting swept by the Jets in three video games throughout regular-season collection and dropping 7-6 in Sport 1 on Sunday.
“I feel, via any collection, it’s important to go play your finest and put some doubt in your opponent’s minds, proper? And that is robust to do, and typically it is inconceivable to do,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar mentioned Wednesday. “Now we type of know the place we stand. We all know how tough it is going to be and the way nicely we’ll need to play to win, and now we have perception that we are able to win there or right here.
“It isn’t at all times potential to achieve the psychological benefit, however you have to go play your finest. Once more, if you wish to advance, you have to anticipate to need to play your finest to do it.”
Colorado acquired its finest all through the lineup in Sport 2, together with from goalie Alexandar Georgiev, who made 28 saves after permitting seven targets on 23 photographs in Sport 1.
“I did not love the primary interval,” Bednar mentioned of the Sport 2 win. “However the best way we got here out in interval two and interval three and type of locked issues down on the defensive aspect, we acquired the massive saves once we wanted it. I used to be actually pleased with our group to lastly get to that adjustment and end that recreation.
“And much more necessary for me, not simply our crew making the changes however ‘Georgie’ giving up a purpose early after which simply combating via and sticking to his strategy of what he wanted to do to have success. Was actually pleased with him and the best way he dealt with himself in that recreation beneath quite a lot of strain.”
By two video games, the Avalanche have scored 10 targets on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who gained the William M. Jennings Trophy for permitting the fewest targets within the common season (199, together with shootout-deciding targets).
Hellebuyck has allowed a minimum of 4 targets in every recreation of the collection, one thing he did solely 10 occasions in 60 regular-season video games.
“It is necessary, and to me that was simply straight competitiveness and depth via our total ahead group,” Bednar mentioned.
“That is as exhausting as I’ve seen our guys play in sure areas of the sport, combating to the web, being relentless on the forecheck, actually getting up and getting in assault mode and making it tough for Winnipeg, and that is going to want to proceed.”
Colorado has 13 gamers with a minimum of one level within the collection, and defenseman Cale Makar is tied with Edmonton Oilers middle Connor McDavid for the playoff lead in factors with 5, though McDavid has solely performed one recreation.
Nevertheless, forwards Nathan MacKinnon, who completed second within the common season with 140 factors (51 targets, 89 assists) and Mikko Rantanen, who was eighth with 104 factors (42 targets, 62 assists) have mixed for one purpose within the collection.
“I feel our high guys have been nice via two video games,” Bednar mentioned. “I feel our guys are past, once they get to the playoffs, they’re past identical to worrying about factors. I do not assume they’re nervous about private accolades at this level.”
🔹 Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
🔹 Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
🔹 New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals
🔹 Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
🔹 Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights
🔹 Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche
🔹 Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
🔹 Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

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