It all comes down to this: the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Every team either suffers immense heartbreak or incredible joy.
The Colorado Avalanche knows about the incredible joy, after all, they recently won the Cup in 2022. However, this is a different year, marked by distinct challenges and new personnel.
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One of those new faces is going to be a key piece for the Avalanche’s success.
Martin Necas was the big piece coming back in the Mikko Rantanen trade. To say that things have gone well since his acquisition is certainly an understatement.
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A Round One Schedule for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is HereNHL Public Relations announced the full schedule for games 1-4 of round one for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday morning. Dates for games 5-7 were also announced with times listed as TBD, meaning they will be announced once or if they become necessary.
After the trade, the Czech forward scored 28 points in 30 games while playing 20:30 a night. Necas found a home alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen. That line was able to dominate the fancy stats (63.1 Corsi For Percent) and out-score the opposition whenever they were on the ice (13-4).
The Avalanche are going to need that magic in the postseason.
This is why Necas is the Avalanche’s X-Factor for this playoff run. MacKinnon has been his usual self through two games, amassing three goals and one assist for four points total. But, the Avalanche are going to need more than their (assumed) Hart Trophy Finalist to win the Stanley Cup. They definitely need more to make it past the Dallas Stars in the opening playoff round.
Necas currently has one assist in two playoff games. Jack Drury, Ryan Lindgren, and Logan O’Connor all have more points than he does. He’s going to have to step up his game on the offensive side of the puck to become an X-Factor for the Avalanche.
With Game 3 scheduled for Wednesday night, fans will see if tonight is the night that Necas kicks things into high gear for the Avalanche.
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