3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 2-0 Win Over the Kraken – The Hockey Writers –

The Colorado Avalanche have been locked in and ready for the playoffs for far longer than anyone else. That’s what happens when you load up at the deadline and clinch the President’s Trophy with several weeks remaining in the season.

With all roads seemingly leading through Denver, the Avalanche could have mailed in their final game of the season. Instead, they turned in a sterling defensive effort en route to an effortless 2-0 shutout of the Seattle Kraken.

The First Piece of Hardware Has Been Captured

With Cole Caufield not scoring in Montreal’s final game of the season, Nathan MacKinnon had the Rocket Richard Trophy locked down but now it’s official. MacKinnon finishes with 53 goals, two more than the diminutive Canadiens winger.

MacKinnon has won virtually every piece of hardware a player could win. All that’s missing is an Art Ross Trophy win as the NHL’s leading scorer and a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He’s put together a Hall of Fame career in the last few seasons alone and this is just another major accolade.

If not for two generational talents – Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov – we could be talking about MacKinnon having multiple scoring titles. The run the three of them have been on the last several years is something that will be talked about for generations.

Wedgewood Earns the Shutout

There isn’t much to talk about as far as the scoring, with goals from depth contributors being enough to get the job done. The reason it was enough to get the job done is twofold. For one, the defense was smothering at times, limiting the Kraken to just 22 shots. It also doesn’t hurt to have one of the best goalies in the league.

Scott Wedgewood earned his fourth shutout of the season, the perfect capper for his otherworldly season. He has looked effortlessly calm in virtually every start this season, and it felt like the Kraken never really had a chance.

Wedgewood may be the single most important factor going into the playoffs. The Avalanche got bested by Dallas’ Jake Oettinger last season, but Wedgewood is giving them the kind of performances that make the Avalanche tough to beat.

Avalanche End the Regular Season on a Run

The Avalanche faced a few sputters coming into April but ended the regular season on a nice little run. Their 5-1-1 stretch included limiting the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers to just one cumulative goal.

Another promising thing heading into the playoffs: the Avalanche put that record together without scoring more than three goals even once. We know what the offense can do when it is at full power, but to see them win through goaltending and defense means they are really ready.

The Avalanche are getting healthy at the right time and should have everyone available for Game 1 on Sunday afternoon. The path has been laid out, and it is time for the Avalanche to have another deep, dominating run.

Bring on the Kings

With a win by the Anaheim Ducks and a loss by the Los Angeles Kings, the Avalanche will be hosting the latter on Sunday afternoon in the opening game of the playoffs. The Kings had an incredible 20 overtime/shootout losses (also called “loser points”) to sneak into the playoffs.

The Avalanche need to come out and steamroll the Kings in four or five games. Everyone is looking ahead to the second round where either the Stars or Minnesota Wild will be waiting in what should be one of the best series in this playoff.