The Colorado Avalanche won’t have to hear about those 2nd Round demons anymore, or that Game 5 meltdown. The Avalanche had to go into St. Louis and win for the third time on their ice to close out the series. But it wasn’t without theatrics. In another game that saw the Avalanche in control for the majority of the game yet again, but also trailing heading into the 3rd period, the Avs had to do what St. Louis did in Game 5 and mount a comeback. Boy did they.
The depth was the star last night. JT Compher, who hadn’t scored a goal all playoffs, found the net twice. But the biggest one was off-season acquisition Darren Helm sending home past Ville Husso with a mere five seconds remaining to seal the victory and the series for the Avalanche.
Now the Avalanche can celebrate moving on to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years as they will face the Edmonton Oilers.
Chris and Kyle break it all down! Tune in and subscribe!
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43 Comments
Never thought I would have loved a Red Wing as much as I did in that moment. Our 3rd and Fourth line stepped up immensely this series. Or maybe it was the blues didn’t have enough defensive depth to keep us all from scoring.
Woke up at 2 am for this game. Thank the hockey gods we won!!!!
Nate said after the game that He thinks they needed the adversity to make the team stronger , and He was right . Coming back after that crushing loss in game 5 to finish the series says a lot about this years team and the mentality of the locker room. Still so much room to improve ( 2 goals on turnovers ) but having the resolve to push through is HUGE. Great podcast guys , I just stumbled upon it . All the best from NB , Canada. #GOAVS
I called it! Wait to go, Darren Helm! Joke.
I might have gotten a tiny bit misty-eyed for the old veteran.
WHAT A FREAKING CLUTCH GAME! I said after game 5 the collapse could be a massive spring board to something special and the response this team showed to come out on the road and just play their game and dominate is so special. Most teams would have folded and they came out and trusted the process.
Also shout out to Darcy, he follows up maybe his worst performance of his career and shuts down the blues the last half of the game.
Man I'm so proud of this team.
Enjoy this one everyone, new fans & those of us who have been around since 95 or 01! It is hard a hell to get to this point. While it is true that NAK wasn't good tonight, but he was good all series. Still I think that the best lineup against Edmonton will be Newhook-JTC-Burky for that 3rd line. But that is a conversation for another day.
The Curse is over now lets get to the Cup.
FINALLY!!! What a GREAT night!!!!
Loved the smile on Joe Sakic's face after Helm's goal!
I now officially love the game 5 loss as that resilient win will serve them well moving forward.
Well earned victory in game 6 for the AVs. Even Binnington probably doesn't save the team with that rough performance. As a Blues fan though the youth of the blues is looking good and I expect these two teams to be battling it out for the next few years.
Ain't it odd that a trade when matter out shone the other. JT Compher trade from Buffalo for Ryan OReilly.
I think Manson has to be the game hero. That save was impressive! I’m hoping Kuemper can refocus now that the 2nd pressure is off. I don’t know what why he was so far out of net but I’m glad Manson was there. If not, we were going to game 7 for sure.
The Eagles also had the fight of their life! They manage to live to fight another day as they beat the Heat in OT by score of 6-5. Sikura was almost the reason our season ended as he put a puck into his own net putting us down 4-5 in the 3rd but he must have felt the pressure because he goes on to tie and then win the game!
Sound Check: this one goes out to Helmers. I never saw that one coming!
“Unbelievable” EMF
Let’s go Avs! WCF2022, WOOOT WOOOT!!
Gotta love that Manson now gets to play in the WCF’s against a team where his dad is the assistant coach.
On the two on one goal that the Blues scored, the defender has to stick with Kyrou and let the person with the Puck take the shot, instead they dive, give up the cross lane pass to Kyrou for the easy goal. Keumper never had a chance where as he would have if the defender didn't dive to the passer.
Not just 39 shots, a 19 shot differential; Colorado 'was' the dominant team. If Rantanen ($9 mil+ cap hit) is not playing with an injury he is going to have to step up; he has looked weak…
This is Helms , Second , playoff winning Goal , in his career . First was when he played for Detroit
Wait there’s an Avs podcast? Yea subscribed and notifications on. 4th line was UNREAL last night. I didn’t cry, there was… someone.. onions… I wasn’t crying… I wasn’t
I’ve been an Avs fan my whole life. I grew up in connecticut and fell in love with the team when I was a kid. I’ve struggled in the past with depression and suicidal ideation. I suffer from bipolar disorder and didn’t know how to deal with it bc it was undiagnosed at the time. I moved to tampa bay about 4 years ago. I even worked for the bolts in merchandise for a spell. My whole life I always knew I wouldn’t make it past 27 years old. I never planned on it. I planned on taking my own life and making sure I wouldn’t see 28. My 28th birthday is on June 21st. Currently projected as the same day as game 5 of the cup finals. And there’s every possibility that my favorite team will be playing in my home town. For the cup.
I’m living proof that things can only get better if you let yourself live. Unbelievable. I’m literally in tears writing this right now. God is truly great 🙏🏼
Edit: not to change the tone in a HARD right turn, but I was at the game 6 vs San Jose 3 years ago. Since then I’ve been singing jts praises to EVERYONE who’ll listen. 2 goals 1 assist in THAT game. The man simply shows up in 2nd round game 6s. Why can’t we try tossing him on a line with Mac and gabe? Those 3 guys together would be a great match of skill and grit IMO
Edit 2: oh my god. I’m so happy that Chris mentioned Gabes face offs. The way this team has improved on face offs this season is immeasurably important. The announcers even mentioned last night how we were dominating in our own zone. I’m just so elated with this team. It really does feel different this time since last night.
Way to go boys!!! Mc v Mac going to be great. We have not lost on the road in the playoffs
listen to u guys all the time at work,, thank you!
So glad I was wrong…or at least,I started right before the series with Avs in 6…losing game 5,then winning game 6. But the way game 5 ended in such a disastrous way,I wasn't sure they wouldn't start thinking "here we go again,"-hell,I sure was! Didn't know if they had the mental fortitude to recover,against a team with that much resilience,& Championship mettle. But they proved they are a more mentally tough team this year. I never doubted their desire,or will to win…but confidence is a funny thing. You don't know what you don't know,or that you can for sure handle it,until ya actually come through when it matters most, especially vs a team that does know they can.
But we need to enjoy this for awhile. The players gotta pivot to Edmonton,probably today,but as fans…we can take a few days. Doesn't mean we are satisfied,or "just happy to be here"-but ya gotta enjoy the ride,& recognize how tough it really is to get this far in any sport. I'm glad the team took a night to enjoy it,it is an accomplishment,& they've been through some tough times/close calls. I really think it will free them up mentally. Whether they admit it or not,they played parts of that series-especially the end of game 5-with the weight of the world,like a 10,000 lb gorilla was strapped to their backs. It's totally understandable-they aren't stupid…they know had they lost-it compounds mentally,& had they actually blew that series-they would be labeled underachievers,even chokers…& the team wouldn't look the same next year. Deeper you go,the more pressure in the playoffs…but in this specific case,that may not be true,as counter intuitive as that sounds on it's face.
But now-whatever happens-they have FINALLY went on a deep run,with this core,& accomplished something of some significance. They aren't satisfied,& only halfway to the goal.. Of course we will all be disappointed if they fall short. But WORST CASE now-they a had a real good season,& real good run. There will always be a few idiots who think anything short of the Cup is a complete failure,but most fair people realize that's simplistic,& ridiculous. But had they lost this series, especially after game 5-this season would have been a failure. All season long I've been saying-we WANT to win the Cup,but we HAD to get back to WCFs at least.
Plenty of time to worry about Edmonton,I actually think this is a very good matchup for us,better than the St Louis matchup actually. It won't be easy,we could lose,& their top guys will get theirs. But Edmontons blue line,& depth lines…don't really match up very good with Colorado…at least on paper,my opinion.Their lack of real depth,& those top guys being counted on to carry so much,& play so many minutes,should hurt them, especially the games at altitude.
But that's for next week…I'm gonna enjoy this for a few days…I'm happy,& proud they showed they did learn from past,& did grow out of adversity. Now that they survived it,game 5,& the prior playoff flame outs,can actually make you better/stronger,& they are gonna need it. Some of the players mentioned it last night.
And this should put to bed the "fire Bednar" talk,whatever happens. I said I didn't agree with firing Bednar,even if they blew this series,but had they blown it…I would've had him on "the watch list" next season. Meaning,had they lost to St Louis,then started slowly the 1st month or so next season,then you'd have to consider it. Eventually ya gotta break through,& can't keep underachieving-relative to your talent. They've had top 2 or 3 talent for at least 3 years,& even if it isn't the coaches fault… eventually somebody has to pay,& you can't fire all the players. Only way to shake things up is the coach,or gm,& ya wouldn't fire Sakic,cuz lack of talent clearly hasn't been their issue. But that talk should be completely put to bed for the foreseeable future now.
Keep up the great work guys…you both kept a level head,when some of us (me included)-were freaking out,& probably going too far with our fears they'd blow it. But we've developed some scars the last 2 decades… particularly the last 3 seasons. But you guys were the voices of reason,& said they'd be fine. I wasn't so sure myself-Ive seen far too many teams that should do this,& that…fall short simply cuz they didn't have the mental makeup-no matter how much they wanted it. But I won't doubt this team again.
I'm still not picking them to win the Cup…I had TB over Colorado in my bracket,& I'm sticking with that,though I don't want it to happen. But we have as good of chance as anybody,& there is a part of me that thinks maybe it's just meant to be. Remember the 2001 team had to beat the defending Champs in the Finals…I've picked TB 4 straight years now,& just maybe they fall just short of a 3 peat.
But long ways before that…we gotta deal with Edmonton,& TB still has work to do. But if Colorado falls short,I now believe it will be because the opponent just was a little better,or played better/got a bit luckier. Not cuz of what I feared vs St Louis…we might choke it away psychologically on the backs of demons,& ghosts from the past. We knew long ago,St Louis was mentally tough,& resilient…we HOPED Colorado was,but now we know this team has those qualities also. TB has those same qualities,& experience that St Louis does,but Edmonton actually doesn't. Almost all those guys haven't been this far before either. That scumbag Kane went to the Finals with SJ,but they probably have less "deep run playoff experience,"- than Colorado does. Helm,Burakovsky,Lehkonen,Manson (conf final with Anaheim)Cogliano…we probably have more guys who've been there/done that. Doesn't guarantee you anything…just ask St Louis,Boston,Pittsburgh,& Washington. But it is an advantage,& gives you a reference point,when things get hairy. That game winner was partly luck,but it's not a complete coincidence it was Helm.
Last night was 13 years to the day…he scored an OT winner to advance Detroit to 2009 Cup Finals. Long time ago,but that dude has played in 2 Finals,& 3 or 4 conference finals. I heard people saying that had to be the biggest goal he's ever scored. Not true,& pretty amazing that a guy who's never been a huge goal scorer,last night was only the #2 biggest goal he's ever scored. Especially considering it's the biggest goal any Av has scored in 2 decades. Since Peter Forsberg scored an OT winner in Detroit…game 5 of 2002 WCFs to take 3 games to 2 lead…Avs never scored again in that series. But literally last night was the biggest win,& most important Av goal,since that night so long ago,when I had far more hair,& my 12,& 13 year old daughters weren't even close to being born-lol. Go Avs!
Congratulations Avalanche! Well played! Now that you beat my Blues, you need to go all the way!
This is the first conference finals in the past several years that feel like every team deserves to be there… As long as the Canes get it done. Hockey fans are lucky to be getting a MacKinnon vs McDavid series. No matter how this round plays out all the matchups from this point on will be great hockey! Avs in 6!!!!🎉🏆
That goal by Helm might have been the most satisfying one I’ve seen in a playoff series since Krupp’s goal against the Panthers. #GoAvsGo!!!
Well Done Guy’s you both hit on so much information and Let’s Go Avs. I Live in Washington State Me & My Son are Big Fans and we are so excited for the Western Conference Finals to Start 👍
So happy this morning! Really great to see this group of Avs break thru to the WCF! I was pushing 30yrs old the last time this franchise played in the conference finals and here we are again and I am feeling old as hell….
In terms of Kuemper I agreed with the TNT analysis that he is too aggressive and moving too much off his line, coming way out on plays and being totally out of position on virtually every goal. He makes me very nervous moving forward. Hope the goaltending coach finds a way to settle his ass down.
One thing that I haven't heard from anybody but stood out to me. On the Helm goal, he didn't take a pass and take time to set it up. That puck ricocheted off the boards and was moving when Helm connected with the slapper. Great hand eye coordination.
The flames barely got by the stars, who couldn't even outscore themselves in the regular season. They follow that series with one win in a game in which they had to get nine goals. I don't know how they look at these playoffs and find a positive 😬
You need a diving board to reach the depth of this team! (Lol, sorry)
Go Avs! Such a great win, I was screaming, annoying that he'll out of my roommates! If the avs tighten up that defense and Kuempy does what he does best, Edmonton should be easier than the blues!
I wonder how Manson shakes the nervousness that playing against his father causes.
Congrats guys! LFG Naz!!!
As long as there are no crazy injuries the oil win this in 6. Carbon copy of flames series except avs win game 5. Colorado won 2 series against slower teams with backups in net. Edmonton is much faster, is now more than just 2 players, and a team avs couldnt beat in regulation during the season. I expect both goalies to struggle mightily, but it just feels like the mcdavid train cant be stopped. Mackinnon showed up for game 5, aside from that avs big guns were silent. Avs depth helped win the series, but they will need more from the top guys against the oil.
let’s go boys
Yeah I'm definitely going to be watching that Helm goal on repeat for a while!
Go figure a long time Red Wing and a trade made at the deadline for a defenseman would be the two guys on those third and fourth lines that won them Game 6.
Well the OWNER OF VEGAS KNIGHTS, ASKING HIS TEAM FOR FIRST 6 YEARS BE IN STANLEY CUP NOT HAPPENING, BUT AVALANCHE HOCKEY TEAM COACH BEDNAR BEEN HERE 6 YRS….
Don't feel too confident. Congratulations you beat a team that had what is clearly their backup goaltender in the net games 3-6 and our best offensive defenseman out. Not only that you barely beat the Blues in game 1 and 6. One little thing goes the Blues way and it would've been Blues winning in 6. Either way… You can thank Kadri for this series win. He knew exactly what he was doing! He's the dirtiest player in the NHL besides maybe Marchment. You'll probably beat Edmonton in 5 games cause you're going up against another shitty goalie. You're going to lose for sure in the Finals. Tampa Bay is more talented than the Blues. They'll get more shots and zone time. And Kuemper sucks. Blues missed the memo to just shoot the puck on net. Tampa Bay is so much more talented at goal than anything youve faced, besides Binnington. But hey….You can just call in your goaltender taker outter guy and maybe then you'll have a chance.I don't even know how they have you favored winning the Cup.
The song for this game and series is, Blue world- by the late great Mac Miller "Yeah, well, this mad world made me crazy
Might just turn around, do 180
I ain't politickin', I ain't kissin' no babies
The devil on my doorstep bein' so shady
Mmm, don't trip
We don't gotta let him in, don't trip"
In game 5 when bortozzo stopped a puck from going into an empty net in overtime by hitting the edge of his hip on top of the other bad stuff that happened was deflating but then the empty net stop by Manson who was amazing felt so good ok sound check time I got avalanche you killed me by those poor bastards and who’s laughing now by nerdout
13 years to the day when Helm sent Detroit back to their 2nd straight Cup Finals,with OT goal vs Chicago in WCFs…amazing.
I hear ya on Kuempers position on the 2nd goal,but that's a 2 on 0 breakaway with 2 pretty damn good players. You can't EXPECT any goalie to stop it. Ya gotta take a chance,& he obviously made the wrong decision,but Schenn I think who threw the pass…he could've shot it-you have no clue. You just can't give 2 on 0s vs Edmonton. But I agree that overall Kuemper has to be better vs Edmonton,than he was in the St Louis series, for us to win.
Seeing your faces change from the last episode to this one is truly amazing. Pure joy, GO AVS!!!!