Accuracy personalized. As oblique as an explosion can be. One team won almost every match and battle, while the other seemed to be a slow step and often seemed to break out, struggling not only to get to the structure but also to play simple games that are usually routine. Right now, the Colorado Avalanche looks like a well-oiled machine and this 7-0 win over two-time defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night at the Ball Arena probably looked like a timeless classic in real time for coach Jared Bednar . Not every day a team can beat the best goalkeeper in the world seven times. The touchdowns that are converted are not just ordinary: not on a sleepy night during the dogs of February, let alone in the 2nd match of the Stanley Cup final. The Avalanche quickly reached speed warp and this was a completely relentless attack, with no signs of slowing down soon. For the second time in an equal number of games, the Avalanches were fired from a cannon to start the game and their frantic pace continued to force the Lightning to make uncharacteristic mistakes by managing elves. This time, Avalanche prevented Lightning from pushing back and leveling the score. Was this an example of the coaching staff devising a plan to combat what Lightning did in Game 1? “I do not know about the perfect shot, but it was definitely as close to the perfect game as you can get from your players,” said Bednar, who was quick to deflect praise. “Leaving the first game we were dangerous offensively, but I thought there was another step for our team. So we evaluated it, we showed them some things and they did a good job and in defense we were much better (on Saturday). We were much better. It was not even close. “ Not even close is a good way to describe it. As a result, the Avalanche are suddenly just two wins away from winning the club’s first Stanley Cup since 2001. But if you thought Avalanche would plan to put things under cruise control or start planning the parade route, you have not followed this playoff joy. Avalanche defender Josh Manson was quick to dismiss a proposal that his team had Lightning on the ropes or that they may be upset by what has happened so far. “You know what, this is a league team and I do not think they are disappointed,” said Manson. “I think they are patient. And they will adjust and somehow let things go. I think this is what made them so successful. So for us, we can not believe that we are under their skin, we can not think like that. As long as we continue. And just have that mentality that does not stop. “I feel good, but the job is not over, as they say.” The work is not done with any imagination, but the Lightning will have to find a completely different level of play if they are to rebuild as they did in the Eastern Conference final, when they overcame a 0-2 streak. deficit for four consecutive wins. The harsh reality for Lightning is that they have to win four of the next five games to avoid being dethroned. “In our room we have this humble mentality and this belief. I think faith is such a big thing,” Manson said. “We know that if we go out and play the way we have to play, we have confidence in ourselves. We have faith in our game.” Despite the discussion that Lightning has a decisive advantage between the tubes, Avalanche goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper is doing his part, finishing with 17 saves on Saturday to record the shutout – his first in 12 starts during these playoffs. Kuemper saw a consistent Corey Perry diet around the blue – and the pair accidentally accepted minors at one point – but the goalkeeper did not allow Lightning forward to get under his skin or take him out of the game. “He likes to get into the nets. That’s how it plays. “He always played like that,” Kuemper said. “I’m just trying to get out of there as best I can. “This was probably one of our best games in all the playoffs. We made some good adjustments from the previous game and we really got to play the way we wanted. The kids were incredible.” This is a devaluation. The show has seemed a bit unfocused in recent episodes, however; “I feel like we played with our identity in a ‘T’ – obviously, we had some good goals and things like that. “It was a bit strange,” said Avalanche defender Cale Makar, who scored twice and finished with four shots on goal. “Obviously, we have opportunities, but the kids were able to take advantage, so this is the good part. “As a team we know that we reward aggressively when we play our best game defensively. So, for us, this is exactly what we realize every night. Like I said in a previous question, they are obviously a great team. Their players will find ways to take advantage of you and we just have to be prepared for that. “They will throw us what they have in the next game, so we just have to be ready and ready to give it back to them.” One of the only negative developments for Avalanche was the early departure of striker Andre Burakowski, who contributed a goal and an assist in just 10 shifts and 7:51 on ice before suffering an unknown injury. On the other hand, Andrew Cogliano returned to the starting line-up after being left out of game 1 with a broken finger and quickly scoring a couple of assists while also playing two minutes and 36 seconds while short. The veteran winger also rushed to ask a question about whether or not Lightning was struck by the speed with which the Avalanche play – something that has played a huge role in the result so far. “I do not know, I do not know. “I think we are really focused on ourselves right now,” Cogliano said. “We are focused on our game and when we play like we did tonight, everyone leaves the rink feeling proud of themselves and it is a great feeling. “You can not deal with what is happening abroad, with what other teams are doing.” This approach has served the Avalanche well and you can be sure that they will do everything in their power to avoid it. This is the time of year when many stats can be thrown out the window, but the Avalanche is a perfect 7-0 on the road to the Stanley Cup 2022 playoffs at Monday’s game at the Amalie Arena. “They are the defenders of the Stanley Cup. “They have won twice, they know how to play, they know how to play at home,” said Koliano. “This will be the biggest test for us.” The good thing about Avalanche is that they are used to being tested with unprecedented colors – with Saturday night being the latest example.
