Colorado Avalanche play the waiting game

The Vegas Golden Knights had an opportunity to finish off their first round at home Monday night. Thanks to a 4-2 victory by Minnesota Wild, that series will now go at last six games with the potential to run until the end of the week. While those two teams beat up on each other and fight tooth and nail to get out of the first round, their next opponents sit at home resting and waiting.

The Colorado Avalanche made short work of the St. Louis Blues, sweeping the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions in the first round - despite a guarantee on the contrary from former Av Ryan O’Reilly. The Avalanche were the best team in the NHL this season and how have at least a few extra days to rest and recover in what will inevitably be a tough matchup, which ever team makes it through.

With Vegas still leading 3-2 in the series, the Golden Knights will have a second opportunity to finish off the series Wednesday night. That said, if the Wild are able to take advantage of home ice, they will force a seventh and decisive game Friday night - giving the Avalanche even more time to rest and prepare.

Regardless of which team comes out of the series, the Avalanche will have a tough matchup on their hands. The Golden Knights finished just one point from overtaking the Avalanche for the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the NHL, while Minnesota is a franchise that has a long history of being a thorn in the side of the Avalanche and their fans.

That said, the Avalanche will be the favorites going into the series regardless of who their playing and right now are probably wishing for the two potential opponents to push the first round as long as possible to be in the best shape both physically and mentally to continue on their run towards a Stanley Cup.