After 81 games - almost 5,000 minutes of playing time - all of this season’s hard work comes down to one single game.
Win and you’re in. Lose, and it’s a long, long off-season to look in the mirror.
Win and Nathan MacKinnon is in his rightful place in the Hart Trophy discussion. Lose and he falls victim to an arbitrary and stupid unspoken rule.
The Avalanche haven’t been heading into a potential playoff spot like they want it. Three losses in California for the final road trip didn’t make things easy for themselves.
The Blues, however, in that same time frame didn’t do themselves any favours either.