Winning this game is more important to our Cup chances than it is our series chances. I feel confident about winning this series. If we have to go back to Minnesota, we've proven that we can fully control play in that building. I'm not going to panic about getting out of round 1 if we lose tonight. We've already dropped 2 straight in this series and could do it again, but I like our chances to win 1 of 2.
But I badly want to end Minnesota's season tonight. I don't want the stress of a road game 7 and getting 3 days off before the Avs is close to ideal. Not long enough to develop rust, but long enough that you can get to Colorado (and elevation) a few days before game 1 to acclimate. Round 2 will very likely begin on Monday in Colorado no matter what happens in our series. That is the only series that could start Monday if every remaining series goes 7. As much as tonight is about closing this series, it is also about avoiding starting round 2 on the wrong foot.
Win tonight, sleep in your own bed and then fly out to Colorado tomorrow morning. That gives your lungs 72+ hours to get used to some elevation. That's a hell of a lot better than having to win a game 7 in Minnesota on Saturday, flying Minnesota to Denver, rolling into a hotel after 2am Sunday morning and then having to prep for a Monday night game.
Last year Vegas went to 7 against Minnesota and then had to play Colorado 48 hours later. The Knights got curb stomped in game 1. Lehner wasn't good (and was allegedly only in net to give Fleury a rest), but a rested Colorado skated circles around Vegas. I don't want to spot Colorado a 1 game lead because we're tired and still acclimating to elevation. I want to spend a few days in Denver.
Get it done tonight and get ready for the Avs.
