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Wednesday begins the third leg of the most difficult championship playoffs to win in North America, the Stanley Cup. The HabsWorld writers are back to provide their predictions on the upcoming series. First up is the Western Conference showdown.

Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights

Kevin Leveille predicts: Avalanche in 6 games
Norm Szcyrek predicts: Avalanche in 6 games
Brian Davis predicts: Avalanche in 6 games
Richard Roy predicts: Avalanche in 5 games
Brian La Rose predicts: Avalanche in 7 games

(Kevin) What can the Golden Knights present that the Avs haven’t seen to challenge them? Maybe the duo of playoff top scorers in Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner can challenge them? But Colorado just finished off Quinn Hughes and Kirill Kaprizov who remain right next to the Vegas scorers on the leaderboard. Maybe the veteran savvy of the Golden Knights, particularly with their depth players, can be enough to overcome Colorado? But will it be enough to counter the Avalanche’s superb bottom-six depth? That remains to be seen. The goaltending? Stranger things have happened, but I don’t see a particular force on either side here with Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood, or Carter Hart. To have any chance in this series, the Knights will need to turn this into a defensive slug fest to counter Colorado’s crazy 4.11 goals per game in these playoffs. Tall task but Vegas might have the right blue line for the job. More importantly, they might have enough “dirty” in their lineup to really shake things up and get the Avs off their game. It’s about the only chance they have in my estimation.

(Norm) The Golden Knights will bring the toughest opponent Colorado has faced in the 2026 playoffs. Marner has found his playoff groove after several futile attempts during the postseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner, who is usually known as more of a playmaker, has scored seven goals and 11 assists to lead his team with 18 points over 12 games. Close behind is captain Eichel with 15points, and Pavel Dorofeyev with 11 points, including nine goals. On defence, Shea Theodore has been stellar with nine points, and Noah Hanifin has added six points. In net, Hart sports a 2.37 goals against average, with a strong save percentage of .917. Behind the bench, the curmudgeon coach John Tortorella has brought his team safely through the first two rounds.

Colorado has lost only one game in the first two series versus Los Angeles and Minnesota. Nathan MacKinnon leads the Avalanche in scoring with seven goals and six assists for 13 points. Next in line is Martin Necas with one goal and ten assists for 11 points. Two former Habs are contributing to the Avalanche’s postseason: Artturi Lehkonen has six points, and Brett Kulak has five points, including the series-winning overtime goal against Minnesota. On defence, veteran Devon Toews has produced two goals and six assists to lead their blueliners, while superstar Cale Makar has four goals and one assist to tie with Kulak for second on their team. In goal, seven of the nine starts have gone to Wedgewood, who has managed a 2.21 goals against average with a .914 save percentage. Look for head coach Jared Bednar to switch Wedgewood out quickly for Blackwood if he falters.

Although both teams are humming along through the first two rounds, I predict the Avalanche will be too much for Vegas to handle. They have stayed at least as strong offensively as they have in the regular season, leading the league in several regular and advanced stats categories. It will take a complete continuous meltdown of both Colorado goaltenders for the Golden Knights to advance, which I cannot see happening.

(Brian D) I am pretty sure that Tortorella will have his Golden Knights set up to try to stymie the Avalanche in the first couple of games and may even pinch one of the games in Denver. It will be physical and I think they may find a way to slow the Avs down. But like all great teams, the Avs will find a way around the tight press and the sheer depth of scoring they have will overrun Vegas in the end. Plus, there is a high chance the physical play will result in lots of penalties, which is never a good idea with a team with two strong power play units like Colorado. Pure hockey will win out in the end.

(Richard) This series is the rabbits versus the turtles. I can’t see Vegas matching Colorado’s speed. Granted, they were able to beat the speedy Ducks but Colorado is much more mature and experienced than the Ducks. Vegas will be facing real adversity for the first time, having had the easier route to the top four compared to Colorado. Although Makar appears to be playing with an injury, having a week off should be very helpful. Marner and Eichel have been excellent for Vegas and they will be a threat for Colorado. Their ability to slow down the pace is elite. If they are able to continue their play versus Colorado, this series could finish in six or seven but every other element of the game leans heavily towards Colorado.

(Brian L) Colorado has made short work of its opponents although Los Angeles isn’t any good while Minnesota controlled some points in that series; the play wasn’t at the level of a five-game series.  It probably should have gone longer.  Vegas has had some clunkers and they can’t afford many of those in this series but when they’re on, they can legitimately get a couple of games.  And Makar won’t be available to start the series with the team hoping he’ll be back at some point in the round.  That adds a game to what was originally going to be a Colorado-in-six pick.  This should be closer than many seem to be expecting.