Quote:
Originally Posted by 868904
Colorado is a scary opponent, relative to the Coyotes or Minnesota.
They have an X factor in Mackinnion who could take control of a whole series by himself. No disrespect to Johnny or Gio, but Mackinnion is the best player in this series and Rantanen might be the second best.
|
I might give you MacKinnon over Gaudreau, but it's close. However, no way is Rantanen the 2nd best player. Our potential Norris winning defenseman is better for sure, and Gaudreau is a dynamic game-breaker in the same tier as MacKinnon, so I would rank both above Rantanen, especially since he's getting a lot of his points playing with MacKinnon.
I should also mention that Rantanen has gone ice cold of late with just 2 points in his last 7 games and he didn't even get a shot on goal in his last game against Dallas. Rantanen doesn't scare me as much as playoff version of Landeskog. He looks ready for the battle and his level of play is ramping up at the moment.
I also question Grubauer's ability to carry the mail in the playoffs. He's usurped the starting job from Varlamov, just like he did to Holtby last year, but when the playoffs came, he wasn't nearly as good and they went back to Holtby who went on a run. Can Varlamov do what Holtby did last year if Grubauer suddenly resembles a backup goalie again? TBD, but I wouldn't be shocked to see some difficulties in goal for Colorado, especially considering how the Flames can put the puck in the net.
I will agree that Calgary's depth is what will win a series against the Avs, but I think you're giving them too much respect, even their top players, who are excellent. Ours are pretty excellent too.