Who are the top Three toughest matchups this season?
By Evan Mead
Colorado Avalanche
Dates: Oct. 26, Dec. 27, Feb. 26
The Vegas Knights were able to top “the team to beat” last year in the playoffs, but what are the chances that it happens again? Each year, the Avalanche are favored as one of the top teams in hockey, and this year they will be out for blood, and have a chip on their shoulder. In other words, they are going to be tough to beat.
No professional organization will ever accept, or be happy, losing. Joe Sakic, as a former player, is going to be doing everything he can to ensure that the players he got the Avalanche are utilized. They have two top 10 players in the NHL, and that makes them very dangerous for any team to face. This year they will want to make a lasting impact and prove themselves as a top team.
Going out against the Knights in the second round is going to make them come out with even more fire than they had last season. The Avalanche-Golden Knights series was, at that point in time, considered the Stanley Cup matchup. The matchup between arguably the two best teams, made that matchup so much fun for hockey fans to watch. However, the Avalanche have made multiple moves this off-season that could cause them to have a regression this year, or they could take the step up. One thing is clear though, the Avalanche are going to be playing with everything they have to walk away as the winner this season. This matchup will be difficult for the Knights, but it will be one of the most enjoyable for them.