Well the second season is here and it’s starting exactly like the first season, with the Avs versus the San Jose Sharks. The eighth place Avs start in the building first-place San Jose in the first game of the best-of-seven series. Here’s how they matchup:

Forwards

The main feature to both clubs is a high-powered offense. While San Jose is about cycling and puck control down low, the Avs are all about speed: speed breaking out, breaking in and getting to the net, playing the full sheet and making the other team skate to open up gaps.

On offense, the Sharks get production from established guys like Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Danny Heatley while the Avs rely on a bunch of rookies to get the job done, with Calder Trophy candidate Matt Duchene leading the new-look Avs on offense. Whoever’s top line gets the better of the other could be a deciding factor to the series but right now the experience of the Sharks give them the advantage in this department.

Advantage: San Jose

Defense

These two teams mirror one another quite a bit it is scary. While both teams have a remarkable offense, they lack a lot of depth on defense.

The Sharks are led on defense by Dan Boyle and Captain Rob Blake. Boyle in particular likes to pinch in the offensive zone and get shots on the net, especially after a long shift by the Sharks top line. However, the defense can be caught on odd man rushes if they’re not sharp, particularly at the beginning of games.

On the other hand, the Avs Achilles Heel is definitely defense. Outside of John-Michael Liles, the Avs don’t have a legitimate offensive threat. Kyle Cumiskey has shown flashes but nothing consistent as far as offensive skills go. The Avs also have quite a bit of age on their backline in Captain Adam Foote. The Avs also have to worry about Scott Hannan who has become more slower and more lethargic as the season has progressed. The Avs will need Ryan Wilson and Kyle Quincey on their game to keep the Sharks at bay.

Advantage: Even

Goaltending

If the Avs are going to win the series, this will category will be reason why. In his first season a true-blue number 1 starter, Craig Anderson played a franchise-high 71 games, recording 38 wins, seven of them shutouts, with a .917 SV% and a 2.64 GAA. While he hasn’t been as strong after the Olympic Break, with a bunch of rest accumulated over the past week, Anderson should be rested and rearing to go again. If he’s on, he can steal a couple of games for the Avs.

On the other side of the rink, Evgeni Nabokov also started 71 games, winning 44 of them with three shutouts, a .922 SV% and 2.43 GAA. Both have had great regular seasons but Anderson’s ability to steal games, as shown by his shutout numbers, give him the slight edge.

Advantage: Colorado

Special Teams

This is the area that will make a difference between a second round birth and the first round of golfing. San Jose ranked in the top five in both of these categories while the Avs ranked mid pack. On the PP, the Avs will have to counter Manny Malhotra and co. while the penalty kill will have to take on the likes of Marleau and Heatley.

Rookie Ryan O’Reilly will be a key player as his penalty killing will be necessary. On the other side, the Avs will need to get Peter Mueller back so that the powerplay can get back into rhythm. In the end, it will come down to Anderson for the Avs to win this battle.

Advantage: Sharks

Coaching

Sharks Coach Todd McLellan is in his second year while Avalanche coach Joe Sacco is in the same place McLellan was last year- a first-year head coach in his first playoff. Sacco will have to work really really hard to get his matchups the way that he wants them.

Advantage: Sharks

Intangibles

The Avs are a team that no one can accurately predict how they’ll do because they have so many players who have never been here before. Will Matt Duchene channel Joe Sakic and carry his team? Or will the rookies be overwhelmed and make a hasty exit from postseason play? This factor gives the Avs the intangibles factor.

Advantage: Avs

Players to watch for

For the Sharks, look to Joe Thornton in this series. In the regular season, he has 931 points in 915 games and a stunning +131 rating. However, when the pressure is on in the playoffs, he has just 53 points in 72 games and an embarrassing -12 (embarrassing for him at least). Jumbo Joe is in danger of the postseason choke artist title that Peyton Manning acquired before he won a Super Bowl.

For the Avs, look to Peter Mueller. Mueller, as mentioned above, is key to the Avs’ powerplay and also has great chemistry with Matt Duchene, accumulating 22 points in 15 games since being traded to the Avs. He is currently recovering from a concussion received off of a Rob Blake hit.

Key to the series

Winning on the road. During the season, the clubs split the season series with each club winning both its games at home. It’s probably the most obvious statement but winning on the road will be key.

Series outlook

The Avs are in a great spot. They have no pressure, no one is picking them to win yet as they did before the regular season and they are facing a Sharks team with a lot of pressure. The first ten minutes will tell a lot about how this Avs club will be able to play and respond to the playoff intensity. If they come out hard and match the Sharks intensity early and maybe even score an early goal, you could turn the pressure and doubts in on the Sharks and force them into making mistakes. If not, there is a tee time waiting for them.

Prediction: Sharks in 6

Craig Anderson will steal a game or two but the Avs will ultimately fall short in this series.

Series Schedule

Wednesday, April 14 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
Friday, April 16 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
Sunday, April 18 at Colorado, 9:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
Tuesday, April 20 at Colorado, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Thursday, April 22 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Saturday, April 24 at Colorado, TBD CBC
*Monday, April 26 at San Jose, TBD CBC
*if necessary

White out the Pepsi Center

I’m going to keep pushing this Avs fans. When the Avs come back to town for Game 3 on Sunday, I want everyone to get out there and buy their tickets to see this and when you do, WEAR WHITE. Let’s make the Pepsi Center look like the snow-capped mountains Colorado is so famous for.

To the fans that cannot make it, show your support for your team and wear white that day. Wear it proud!

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