The Colorado Avalanche typically skate with finesse rather than aggression, a style that fits when you’ve got stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar leading the charge. Known for their blistering speed, the Avalanche upped the ante with a major trade that swapped out Mikko Rantanen for Martin Necas, cranking up the pace even more.

But as any seasoned hockey fan knows, speed alone can only get you so far in the playoffs. Head coach Jared Bednar and GM Chris MacFarland have clearly been expanding the toolset, mixing finesse with a needed dose of grit for a true Stanley Cup run.

In Game 1, several of the Avalanche’s mid-season additions made an immediate impact. Mackenzie Blackwood dazzled in his first playoff appearance, while Martin Necas set up Artturi Lehkonen to notch the game’s first goal.

Meanwhile, Ryan Lindgren added a helper, teeing up Nathan MacKinnon to ice the game with an empty-netter. The cherry on top came from a trio fresh to Colorado: Charlie Coyle’s goal, assisted by Jack Drury and Parker Kelly, beautiful in its own right, epitomized the hard-nosed work ethic that’s slowly blending with the Avs’ style.

What this Game 1 performance drove home was how those early season trades and pickups were spot on. If anything, they reaffirmed previous analyses praising the Avalanche for their trade deadline moves and lauding their depth. This newly showcased dimension reinforces that underestimating Colorado’s physical edge could prove a misstep for opponents familiar with their traditional game.

While the Avalanche might not rank among the league’s most physically daunting teams—finishing 25th in hits per game—Game 1 against the Stars showcased a different narrative. Colorado threw down 30 hits, matching the Florida Panthers’ regular-season pace and signaling they’re ready to mix it up come playoff time. Ryan Lindgren, known for his defensive robustness, shared the hit lead with an unexpected cohort: Martin Necas, better known for quickness than brute force.

The return of Colorado’s more aggressive strategy highlighted an intriguing subplot: Necas’ personal mission to make a mark. Despite flourishing offensively this season, his playoff consistency has yet to mirror that excellence. His role in this new physical spectacle could be pivotal, especially with a former teammate like Rantanen now adversarially decked out in a Dallas jersey.

As expected, Avalanche crushers like Lindgren, Manson, and Erik Johnson provided some bone-jarring hits, flipping game momentum when needed. But it’s important to recognize under-the-radar grinders, like Parker Kelly.

Kelly, leading Colorado in hits this season with 161, shows how crucial these subtleties are—especially in a team not characterized by physical play. His, Ross Colton’s, and Joel Kiviranta’s contributions in hits have quietly underpinned Colorado’s styling this year while accommodating their hurdles with injuries.

All told, the Avalanche’s path to hoisting a fourth Stanley Cup is clear: embrace the physicality that defines playoff hockey. While fans eagerly await captain Gabriel Landeskog’s return, all eyes may soon turn to whether he’ll suit up as Ross Colton exits.

Game 2 may force him back onto the ice sooner than expected. However, in the heart-racing, heavy-hitting frenzy of playoff hockey, the Avalanche seem unfazed and fully poised to participate in one of hockey’s most revered traditions: the indispensable hit parade of the Stanley Cup playoffs.