The Colorado Avalanche are anticipating having most of their players in the lineup for the playoffs, and are adjusting to the postseason without captain Gabriel Landeskog.
DENVER – Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar are hopeful of having most, if not all, players back in the lineup for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
MacFarland said in a press conference Sunday that the team is hoping to get Cale Makar back, and Bednar said last week that Josh Manson will play.
“I think we believe Cogs (Andrew Cogliano) and (Denis) Malgin will also be ready to go, and Darren Helm continues to grind. So whether he'll be ready for Games 1 and 2 at home remains to be determined, but we're hopeful that we'll see him as well at some point. So overall pretty good,” MacFarland said.
With nearly 500-man games lost due to injuries this season, the Avalanche managed to turn the season around after a subpar first half to finish 24-6-4 after the All-Star break. So with almost everyone ready to play, it will be a fresh start to the postseason.
“It’s looking pretty good. I think that we’re going to have the bulk of our guys back, if not everybody back, for playoff time,” Bednar said in an interview on NHL Network. “We’re expecting pretty much a full lineup here going into the playoffs.”
Landeskog-less postseason
Gabriel Landeskog announced that he will not return this season due to a knee injury he sustained in the 2020 playoffs that has progressively gotten worse. He made the decision after a season of questions surrounding his injury and future.
“We certainly wanted to give him every chance. It wasn't like he was out December and played 'til January. He missed the whole year, right?” MacFarland said Sunday. “And our goal and his goal was to have him back, and he deserved that. He deserved that, that opportunity, whether it was going to be in mid-March or late March or whatever. And he did everything he absolutely, positively could. Obviously, he's a massive part. So if he could do it, that's what we wanted more than anything in the world.”
MacFarland recognized the emotional part Landeskog has played for the team and that his absence has been a huge blow to the organization. Although extremely pivotal overall, his inability to play isn’t a new issue to deal with going into the postseason.
Leadership importance in playoffs
When asked if the team had considered naming a new captain, MacFarland shut that idea down without hesitation.
“No. We’re not even thinking about that. No. … We obviously have to get through the next few weeks here and Gabe is going to drive that,” MacFarland said.
The captain-less Avalanche have had some key players step up into some form of leadership role whether it be by example, like Nathan MacKinnon, or by emotional support, like Mikko Rantanen.
“I feel similar to last year, I know I have a big role in our core and obviously maybe this year, you know, like I said Landy’s out, and you know no Naz (Nazem Kadri), big guys like that. Lots of veteran guys have changed,” Rantanen said after an optional practice Sunday. “So I feel pretty similar individually. Maybe Landy being gone, maybe got to step up even more. That’s for sure.”
Through the adversity the team has faced this season, Bednar has commended his players for their determination, commitment and heart in their overall game.
"Now it's time for us to play our best hockey at the most important time. That's the key," Bednar said.
Confidence in Georgiev
One thing for sure going into the playoffs is who will start between the pipes for the Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev, who warms up before games by hitting a tennis ball off a wall to get his hand-eye coordination in motion, played an outstanding season with 40 wins in his first starting role. Although he does not have playoff experience, the expectation for his continued stellar play is obvious with the confidence shown by Bednar and the Avalanche organization.
“He's performed incredibly well, and now it's his chance to drive it up during a playoff time, which is another experience spoke in his wheel too,” MacFarland said about the 27-year-old goaltender. “That'll be important, but he's been fantastic.”