ANAHEIM, Calif. — There is plenty of potential drama in the coming days for the Colorado Avalanche, but the message for Game No. 82 was pretty simple.
When the Avs hit the ice Sunday night at Honda Center to face the Anaheim Ducks, they already knew what lay ahead — a first-round blockbuster Stanley Cup Playoffs series with the Dallas Stars, which will likely begin next Saturday or Sunday deep in the heart of Texas.
Their coach just wanted them to play hard. Bednar hasn’t loved his team’s emotional engagement at times recently, but has also been sympathetic most nights, given the circumstances.