The real Stanley Cup title defense begins now.
The Avalanche will host the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday (8 p.m. MT, ESPN) at Ball Arena, beginning a sixth consecutive playoff push. This year, the Avs arrive with their names already on the Cup and increased confidence to double-dip. Regular season? Ho hum. Backup goalie Pavel Francouz called this the “real” hockey.
“The 82 games we just played, for me, are just preparation to get this point,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said.
Here are three keys to winning Game 1.
1. Don’t let Gruby feel at home.