The best team in the NHL which is the Colorado Avalanche hosts the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the 1st round. Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs face Ryan O’ Reilly and the Blues from Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on a Monday night 10:00 PM EST. Both teams ended their season with winning streaks but let’s see which team keeps the streak going. This series will surely be fun as both these teams certainly know how to score.
The Blues ended their season really strongly. In their last game of the season, they came back from a 3-0 losing situation against the Wild and scored 7 unanswered goals to win 7-3 at home. O’ Reilly is playing well and so are a lot of other teammates. Mike Hoffman and David Perron had a good game and will try to continue playing good riding into the playoffs. Before that, they shut out Minnesota 4-0. Even though they are the 4th seed, that doesn’t mean that they can’t beat the Avalanche. St. Louis might not look like much but they always somehow find a way to win. Their power play is great and can score. Maybe the Blues could get through the Avalanche and make it two the 2nd Round.
The Avs won the President Trophy which is an award for which the team has the most points in the NHL. Every year even though they have such a good team, they get heartbroken in the playoffs. For the last two years, both times they lost in Game 7 of the 2nd Round. This hockey team deserves at least a Conference Final. Their top line is insanely awesome. Mikko Rantanen came back from injury and he has been a big factor for them, defenseman Cale Makar is having a great year, MacKinnon is perfect as always, the player which they got from Washington two years ago André Burakovsky is playing like a superstar, and Captain Gabe Landeskog is also superb. These 5 are such talented players who can always get pucks into the back of the net. The offense and defense is great and it is hard to get past them. They currently lead the NHL Power Rankings and are favored to win the Stanley Cup. Even though they are the favorites, they have to play normally and avoid getting defeated. They play eye-catching hockey and I am excited to see them in the playoffs.
I think the Colorado Avalanche will win Game 1 of the 1st Round by the score of 6-3. I love the way the Avs play and how they score. I love seeing MacKinnon fly down the ice and get past everyone and score. Even though Ryan O’ Reilly is a heck of a player, he can’t lead the team. So many players on the Avalanche are so skilled and can make things happen. Their penalty kill and power play is also strong so that will help them too.
On Monday Night, the Blues and the Avalanche series opens up. Can the St. Louis Blues get an away win and take the lead in the series or will the Colorado Avalanche top line shine at their home in Denver? We will find out in the state where the Rocky Mountains are located, Colorado.
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