Kulak Draws on Past Experience; Avalanche Focused on Overcoming Mental Hurdle
This wasn’t what anyone expected from the Western Conference Final. In fact, if there was a possibility that the series would end in four games, most would’ve thought the Colorado Avalanche were the ones who had won the first three.
But that isn’t the case. The Avs faced their first real test of adversity this season when they lost Games 1 and 2 to the Vegas Golden Knights at home. That adversity was multiplied when a three-goal first-period lead was erased by the Knights, seemingly with ease, as they went on to win 5-3 in the third game to push Colorado to the brink of elimination.
Everything about this sudden collapse seems more mental than anything. In each game, every time the Golden Knights score once, the ice tilts completely in their favor. It’s almost as if the Avs start to fear the idea of losing more than having the confidence of winning.
It happened in Game 1, when the game was tied 0-0 for more than 30 minutes. It’s also what led to their first loss of the season when leading at the second intermission in Game 2. And it’s why they now have one loss when leading by multiple games — something that became a reality in Game 3.
“Our guys’ heads are in the right spot,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “Kind of got nothing to lose now, so there’s a looseness around our team this morning, and hoping that can do us some good and free us up to go play to our identity tonight.”
Superstar defenseman Cale Makar re-entered the lineup in Game 3. He’ll play again, as will Nathan MacKinnon. Valeri Nichushkin is a game-time decision.
Whether Makar or MacKinnon will be close to full effectiveness will be something to look out for during the game. But even if not, having them in the lineup should uplift the team in some ways, and help them achieve their goal. T
It’s not about erasing a three-game deficit. It’s not about forcing Game 7. All they can do now is try to win one game. That’s the only thing that can drive them.
“At the end of the day, this series is far from over in our minds,” Makar said. “Every team’s trying to win four games in a series, and we’re still trying to do that. Our process this series has been day by day, and now it’s even more evident than that. We’ve gotta chip away and see where the chips may fall. For us, it starts tonight, and making sure we feel good with our game and continuing how we started that first period, and being more consistent. They’re playing with a lot of confidence, and we have no reason to not do the same.”
Brett Kulak draws on past experience
History wasn’t on the Avalanche’s side when they dropped the first two games of the series at home. It’s even more against them now, facing a three-game hole. Only 10 teams in NHL history have trailed by three games in a series and went on to force Game 7. The most recent one was in the Stanley Cup Final in 2024. The Edmonton Oilers trailed the Florida Panthers 3-0 before winning the next three games to set up a winner-take-all Game 7.
Brett Kulak was part of that team. He feels that experience from two years ago can help him reset and instill confidence in this team.
“Just how quick things can change. We got ourselves into this hole pretty fast, and things can bounce back pretty quick when you’re playing games every second night,” Kulak said. “The game’s come quick, if you play good hockey, you can have the series tied up pretty fast.”
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