The old saying goes that you’re not in trouble until you lose a game at home. That may be a little too optimistic when you’re talking about a series with the best team in the NHL, but for right now, that’s how the Colorado Avalanche need to be thinking.
Tonight, the series shifts to Denver are two hard fought battles in Nashville. The Avalanche are down 0-2 in the series, but it’s hard to be disappointing with how much they’ve pushed the Predators. Each game, the Avs have outplayed their opponents for two of the three periods. The games have been close, so a win tonight will put a ton of pressure on a Nashville team that probably hasn’t been as impressive as the 2-0 series lead would indicate.
Home ice has gone a long way for the Avalanche this season. The team is 28-11-1 at the Pepsi Center (0-0-1 during their ‘home’ game in Sweden) and at times they have looked like world beaters. Given how competitive the first two games have been, the Avalanche shouldn’t really be viewed as an underdog tonight at home.
One win at a time. Steal one tonight and who knows how far the confidence can carry this young Avalanche team.
Lineups
The big question is whether or not Samuel Girard is going to be ready to play tonight. Coach Bednar would not give an update after practice yesterday beyond “he’s considered day-to-day”.
Sam Girard also not skating but I can confirm he is in the building
— J.J. Jerez (@JJoftheYear) April 16, 2018
We should expect that Girard will not play in Game 3, but it would be a very welcome surprise if he emerged as part of the regular group during the pre-game warmup. If Girard can go tonight, it would be nice if we saw Bednar take Mark Barberio out of the lineup - he simply hasn’t looked right since coming back from the injury.
If Girard is unable to go, we are likely to see the exact same lineup as Game 2 - for both teams.
**Update: Coaches confirm than Girard is out tonght
Do the Avalanche have a chance
Absolutely they do. The Avs pushed the Predators for two periods in Game 1. Then they pushed them even further in Game 2. Those were the road games. They’re the games you’re supposed to lose.
If fans in Nashville are confident with how their team is playing so far in this series, they shouldn’t be.
Do you think getting back on home ice will be enough for the Avalanche to pull out a win in Game 3?
Don’t forget, tonight’s game doesn’t start until 8pm MDT.