Jared Bednar mentioned on Monday that he doesn’t have any new information about Nathan MacKinnon or Valeri Nichushkin.
He told the reporters that Colorado will get ready for every possibility before Game 4. This type of response usually means the coach is unsure about his player lineup. The Avalanche really need clear answers since time is running out.
Colorado is behind Vegas 0-3 in the second round of the playoffs. If they lose again, their season will be over.
MacKinnon is said to be day-to-day with a problem in his lower body. Nichushkin is also day-to-day with an unknown issue.
Losing both players at once would really hurt a team that just lost Game 3 on the road by a score of 3-5. They are already down three games and missing two of their best forwards, leaving them no room for error.
MacKinnon has been doing well in these playoffs. He has scored 7 goals and made 8 assists for a total of 15 points in 12 playoff games. That’s a rate of one point for every game played.
The Avalanche are getting ready for Game 4 without their star player. Nichushkin hasn’t produced as much in the playoffs, with 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points in 12 games. However, he plays important minutes against the opposing team’s best players and takes on hard checks that other players can’t.
You can’t just bring up someone from the minor leagues to fill in for those two and expect a different outcome. Vegas is aware of this, and so is everyone in Colorado.
Bednar’s mention of planning for “all scenarios” is useful here. It gives him a way to stay prepared if either player can participate in warmups and has to back out. It also instructs the coaching team to get ready with different forward lineups just in case.
How can you create a plan for Game 4 when your 127-point center might play or might not, and he won’t give you an answer until the game starts?
The Avalanche had a strong finish to the regular season, ending with a record of 55 wins, 16 losses, and 11 ties for a total of 121 points, which put them at the top. They were built to succeed in June but now might be facing an early exit before Memorial Day.
The next response Bednar gives about this situation can’t be unclear. It has to be direct.
Leave a Reply