The Last Day of the Regular Season Will Decide the Avalanche Round 1 Opponent
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As the final day of the NHL regular season approaches, the Colorado Avalanche remain in suspense over their first-round playoff opponent, with the Pacific Division race boiling down to a three-team showdown between Edmonton, Los Angeles, and Anaheim. Hosts Chris Maselli and Zach Pearson break down the wild scenario, analyzing tiebreaker implications, team matchups, and playoff odds. They express excitement over the unpredictability, predict a likely Kings or Ducks matchup for the Avs, and dismiss the idea of rooting against stronger rivals like Dallas. The conversation shifts to the Miko Rantanen-Marty Natchez trade fallout, emphasizing that postseason success—not regular-season stats—will define legacy. They also discuss potential East Coast threats like Carolina and Tampa, and reflect on the emotional weight of playoff failure for elite regular-season teams. The episode closes with lighthearted banter about team rivalries, personal anecdotes, and fun hypotheticals, including a playful debate over whether to skate with the Avalanche or call a game with Mark Moser.
The Avalanche's first-round opponent hinges on the final day's outcomes among Edmonton, LA, and Anaheim, with LA and Anaheim as the most likely opponents.
Postseason performance, not regular-season points, will ultimately determine whether Marty Natchez escapes Miko Rantanen's shadow.
The Avalanche are confident in their ability to beat any playoff team, but remain cautious about overconfidence despite strong regular-season form.
Rooting for a weaker opponent to avoid a tougher matchup is discouraged—facing and beating strong teams is the path to true redemption.
Coaches like Jared Bednar are protected as long as they maintain locker room respect, even if the team falls short in the playoffs.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
The Final Day Playoff Puzzle
“It's down to three teams. We do know that much too. So we have, it's either, it's going to be Edmonton, LA or Anaheim.”
Predicting the Matchup
The hosts analyze the odds and tiebreaker scenarios, predicting that LA and Edmonton will likely win their games, leading to a Kings vs. Avalanche matchup. They discuss the implications of each team's opponent and the likelihood of Edmonton securing the top seed.
The Miko vs. Marty Debate
“If Natchez and Miko in the postseason, Miko shows up and wins the game and Natchez disappears, then he's never going to get out of that shadow.”
East Coast Threats and Fan Sentiment
The hosts discuss potential East Coast threats like Carolina and Tampa, and express personal rooting interests—especially for Buffalo’s resurgence. They reflect on the emotional toll of playoff failure despite regular-season dominance.
Coaching and Legacy
The conversation turns to the pressure on coaches like Jared Bednar, with the hosts arguing that long-tenured coaches should be protected unless they lose the locker room. They also discuss the importance of team legacy beyond regular-season success.
“If Natchez and Miko in the postseason, Miko shows up and wins the game and Natchez disappears, then he's never going to get out of that shadow.”
“If you can't win in the postseason, it doesn't matter. They could go win the president's trophy every year, five years in a row. And if they're out by the second round, nobody's going to be happy.”
“It's down to three teams. We do know that much too. So we have, it's either, it's going to be Edmonton, LA or Anaheim.”
Hosts
Zach Pearson
person
Chris Maselli
person
Colorado Avalanche
other
Miko Rantanen
person
Marty Natchez
person
Los Angeles Kings
other
Edmonton Oilers
other
Anaheim Ducks
other
Jared Bednar
person
Buffalo Sabres
other
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