Avalanche clinch top spot in Western Conference and shift focus to bigger goals

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar isn’t able to plan any parades simply but.

Moments after the Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday evening to clinch Central Division and prime seed within the Western Convention, Bednar was already specializing in the subsequent step towards the final word purpose of a Stanley Cup.

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“We’re not all the way in which there but,” Bednar mentioned. “You realize, just like the purpose for us began with successful the division, the convention, we nonetheless want one other win to get first general. Like, we’d be loopy to not chase that at this level, proper? It’s vital, when you get to the place you need to go, you may as nicely try to get your house ice, particularly after a season like this.”

It’s the third time in 5 seasons, and first since 2023, that the Avalanche completed as the highest staff within the convention. The staff misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs that season, however received the group’s third Stanley Cup after ending first within the Western Convention in 2022.

The Avalanche (51-16-10, 112 factors) even have a greater document on the highway with a 27-7-5 mark in comparison with a 24-9-5 document at Ball Enviornment. However goalie Scott Wedgewood mentioned dwelling ice within the playoffs is a giant benefit.

“Simply environment, altitude … you’re in your individual mattress the evening earlier than,” Wedgewood mentioned. “You realize, you continue to obtained to carry out. It doesn’t imply you win since you’re at dwelling, however like I mentioned in between rounds, you’re capable of knock a staff out in 5 or 6, you’re dwelling for that many extra days.”

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The Avalanche are additionally on the cusp of clinching the President’s Trophy, awarded to the staff with the perfect regular-season document, which might give them home-ice benefit all through the playoffs.

“Then clearly the followers, you get them going with a few hits, playoff hockey’s intense, and it’ll pay in your favor,” Wedgewood mentioned.

Bednar want to see consistency from the staff by the ultimate 5 video games, noting that the Avalanche have been up and down over the previous couple of video games.

“We’ve confirmed that we will do it once we need to set our minds to it, which is basically vital,” Bednar mentioned. “I don’t must see it for 60 minutes for each sport the remainder of the way in which, however we have to see it sufficient to safe our purpose and ensuring everybody’s assured in the way in which we play.”

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