Golden Knights-Avalanche predictions in WCF: Vegas a clear underdog

The Golden Knights open the Western Conference final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night.

Colorado won the first two meetings of the regular season, but the Knights bounced back with an overtime road win on April 11.

Now they will meet in a best-of-seven series to determine the Western Conference champion.

Who will win? Our reporters and experts weigh in on their predictions for the series.

Danny Webster, Knights beat reporter

It’s felt like the Avalanche have been Thanos wielding the Infinity Gauntlet all year – collecting the Infinity Stones one by one before the final snap of the fingers that ends it all.

It depends whether you feel the Golden Knights are the Avengers from “Infinity War” or “Endgame. They’re going to put up a fight. It’s going to be a slugfest. It’s going to go the distance. But do the Knights wait too long to go for the head like Thor, or does Ironman swoop in at the last second and finish the job?

If the Knights are going to have a chance in this series, they need to come out of Denver with at least a split in the first two games. They can’t rely on that magic from 2021. Game 1 seems like an opportune time, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Knights pull off the upset on Wednesday.

After that, they’re going to need to play perfect the rest of the way. They’re going to need to go for the head as quickly as they can. Thanos might just be too strong. Avalanche in 7

Ed Graney, columnist

Paper is pretty clear on this. Colorado is better, faster, has more depth and is a solid betting favorite. But the Golden Knights have an experienced, veteran room which won’t care about any of that. They’re coming off tough series’ wins against Utah and Anaheim – both in six games – and have a strong belief their playoff run is not over. The key will be Knights goalie Carter Hart, who is 8-4 this postseason with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. How will he stand up against the Avalanche’s firepower? Colorado will likely counter in net with Scott Wedgewood (7-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in eight playoff games), while Mackenzie Blackwood is 1-0 with a 3.20 GAA and .872 save percentage in three games (two starts). The Avalanche is full of star scoring power, led by Nathan MacKinnon and his 13 points in the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if this matchup is much closer than imagined and the Golden Knights even steal Game 1 in Denver. Avalanche in 6

David Schoen, sports producer

For a team that was spinning its wheels much of the regular season, a trip to the Western Conference final is a notable achievement for the Golden Knights. General manager Kelly McCrimmon pushed the right buttons once again, no matter how unpopular, and coach John Tortorella maxed out this group’s potential by winning two playoff series. But the Knights’ issues on defense that they’ve tried to hide with smoke and mirrors and Ben Hutton will get exposed in this series. Avalanche in 5

Adam Hill, columnist

The Avalanche have been the best team in the league all season, and the playoffs have been no different. Carolina and Colorado have appeared on a collision course for months and the Knights (and to some extent the Canadiens) are the only ones standing in the way. There is a good chance the Knights can be the spoilers, though. They have experience, are battle-tested and have a goaltender who has been able to keep them in every game and even steal a few. They also have high-end talent in standouts like Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel to match Colorado’s cavalcade of stars and probably a chip on their shoulders about being a significiant underdog in the series. William Karlsson starting to get his legs under him is huge, but the absence of Mark Stone could prove to be the difference. If the Knights don’t get him back at some point, they might not have enough to complete the upset bid. Avalanche in 7