ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - They still have to play the series.
I know the world is picking the Colorado Avalanche, the President's Trophy winner in the NHL, to walk all over the St. Louis Blues in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avs had the best record in hockey (39-13-4, 82 points).
They still have to play the series.
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The last I checked, the Blues (27-20-9, 63 points) won their last two games against the Avalanche. Colorado had gone 5-1 against Ryan O'Reilly's team until the captain came alive with a hat trick on April 24 when his team needed him most.
It was the first period of that game in particular when the Avalanche converted an early 5-on-3 into a 2-0 lead in the first three minutes. The TV cameras flashed to O'Reilly on the bench, clearly irritated and suddenly locked into a focused stare, above that beard.
Almost seven minutes later, O'Reilly forechecked, didn't quit, kept the play alive and found the back of the net off an Avs player, an assist from Brayden Schenn and it was 2-1.
Just 2:51 later, O'Reilly scored again, this time in the slot, from Schenn and Colton Parayko. 2-2. And the Blues, in the most important game of the season, were back in the playoff picture. ROR (bacon) had rallied them once again, with some help from Schenn.
Who will be on O'Reilly's line now that David Perron is on the NHL's COVID list? Schenn. And Jaden Schwartz.
As hard as it is to lose Perron, remember that Schenn's hard-hitting style and knack for big goals is a recipe for playoff success. Schwartz's relentless style is a perfect complement to O'Reilly's hard-driving game.
As fast and exciting as the Avalanche can be -- P-D columnist Benjamin Hochman, appearing on KMOX, called them the NHL's fast break version of the "Showtime Lakers" -- the Blues have proven to be successful in the past with a heavy, relentless forechecking game. It's a fascinating matchup.
Of course, Jordan Binnington needs to be great in net, and possibly steal a game or two. The defense must be strong in front of him.
But if Vladimir Tarasenko emerges from his injury and creates a lethal combo on the power play with a playoff-motivated Mike Hoffman? All bets are off.
The Avalanche might be heavy Vegas favorites, but the series must be played.
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