Playoff time is here, and the Colorado Avalanche are dialed in for the postseason. The Avs face off against the L.A. Kings for Game 1 of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The intensity level rises this time of year, which can change players’ attitudes and approach to their game. But not all.
“The regular season is long, and then you get to the end of it, and now, obviously a new season is upon us. So it’s exciting. You feel a little bit like you’ve been injected with some extra energy, which is exciting,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said.
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The 33-year-old forward said he does not change his focus for the playoffs. The team shifts to getting to their game right out of the gate and sustaining that throughout the series.
“We talked about it all season long, but it becomes even more important in the playoffs, one game at a time,” he said.
Nathan MacKinnon is a naturally high-intensity player, and this demeanor remains unchanged in the postseason.
“No different really, same. Everyone ramps it up, but I wouldn’t say I change it a lot,” MacKinnon said.
For Nazem Kadri, nothing changes.
“Nope, not at all. I mean, I think your focus maybe elevates a little bit and your concentration goes up. But I think you know if you want to be a big time player, I think you have to approach every game similar as a big game. So I don’t think it changes much,” Kadri said.
Cale Makar has a similar approach to the head of the Avs’ leadership group.
“As you go, your mindset just continues to change throughout the season. And for me, it’s just more elevated, a little bit. Playoffs just means that much more. So every little thing is going to matter, every inch counts. So yeah, it’s fun,” Makar said.
Head coach Jared Bednar faces the challenge of getting his team dialed in when the intensity level rises.
“I’d rather dial them back when the game starts than have to dial them up. That’s where I always lay with that. I want us to come out and play with energy and impose their will on the Kings,” Bednar said. “Part of our game will be to make sure we’re using our speed and our relentlessness to put them under pressure. The excitement and the energy that we should have for drop of the puck tomorrow night is what I want. I really don’t want a feeling-out process here. I want us to hit the ground running, so I think that’ll come naturally to our team.”
One thing is for certain: the atmosphere changes when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, and it is electric.