5 reasons why Colorado won’t win the Stanley Cup

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 21: General view of Ball Arena prior to the Colorado Avalanche against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Two. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Following the sweep of the LA Kings, a week off gave pause and a chance to look ahead at the big picture of the ultimate goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup in June. Here is where the Colorado Avalanche currently stand heading into their second round match with the Minnesota Wild, and what may be an obstacle in the way of achieving that goal.

5 reasons why Colorado won’t win the Stanley Cup 1) Star Player Production: It is doubtful Colorado’s top players are going to be kept off the score sheet as we go forward like they were in the beginning of the Kings series. That being said, if they are unable to get going against their opponents going forward, it’s going to get tougher to stay in close games like they were able to do against the Kings. It’s not a secret that while LA certainly has some offensively skilled players, they did not have the horses to get into a track meet with the Avs, if it came down to that.

Going forward, the remaining teams in the Western Conference are better equipped to do that if they have to, and if Colorado’s top players aren’t going, it’s going to be difficult to win track-meet games if you happen to get into one. 2) The Power Play: This is a worst-case scenario, but one worth talking about regardless. Colorado is going to be seeing another really good goaltender in Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt.

Hypothetically, if their 5v5 scoring comes down, and their power play is not converting, that’s going to be an extremely difficult uphill battle for the Avs to keep up with the Wild, who are a team that is more offensively skilled than the Kings. Going 1-for-11 again on the man advantage isn’t going to cut it when the stakes get higher. 3) Blueline Health: Significant injuries will derail any contender but on the back end in particular the Avalanche are vulnerable.