Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview: Game 2 – Wild vs. Avalanche

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche seemed to be doomed in Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild.

Patrick Roy‘s team fell behind 4-2 going into the third period but rallied behind the heroics of Paul Stastny and Erik Johnson to pull out a 5-4 overtime win.

Now the Avs must not dwell on the past and move their focus to Game 2 on Saturday night. Colorado has seized the momentum in the series and take advantage of a shaken Minnesota team.

What: Stanley Cup Playoffs 2014: Round one, Game 2

Where:  Pepsi Center

Time:  7:30 p.m. MDT

TV: NBC Sports Network/Altitude

Coach Roy talked to the media on Friday and said John Mitchell would still be out for Saturday’s game. The line combinations will stay the same for Game 2.

Line 1: Ryan O’Reilly – Nathan MacKinnon – P.A. Parenteau
Line 2: Gabriel Landeskog – Paul Stastny – Jamie McGinn
Line 3: Maxime Talbot – Marc-Andre Cliche – Cody McLeod
Line 4: Patrick Bordeleau – Brad Malone – Paul Carey

Defensive Pairings:

Pair 1: Jan Hejda – Erik Johnson
Pair 2: Tyson Barrie – Nick Holden
Pair 3: Andre Benoit – Nate Guenin

If the Avs want to take a commanding lead in the series, the defense will have to be better in front of goalie Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov faced way too many uncontested shots. The goalie also looked rusty early in the game but seemed to catch his stride in the third period and overtime. He continues to be the most important part of the Avs’ success.