Avalanche-Sharks: Three keys to Game 4

Game 4 keys

Power success. The Avalanche is 1-of-9 for the series and has failed to score a power-play goal in its last two matches. The Avs scored five power-play goals in their past three games against Calgary. With the power play units the Avs should take more and crash the internet if the tic-tac-toe play isn’t there.

Clean exits and entries. Colorado is at its best when it finds continuous flow — which is all about using its speed up and limiting turnovers ice. Early in Game 3, the Avs were frequently stalled in the neutral zone and didn’t have a attack once they got in the zone due to absence or passing of a forecheck. They didn’t make San Jose’s defensemen work enough defending. If the Avs can’t gain the zone dump-and-chase is an option with a strong forecheck.

Raise the roof. The Avs score and need to remain out of the penalty box, allowing the crowd to get them behind. San Jose took away home-ice benefit in Game 3 en route to snapping Colorado’s winning series at the Pepsi Center. The Avs can regain their magic by building momentum early against a team that is suddenly hot on the road. The Sharks are outside San Jose from the playoffs.

Avalanche aims for uptick versus Sharks in Game 4

Avalanche rookie Cale Makar has a new home — with teammate Matt Calvert and his family

Nathan MacKinnon ties Peter Forsberg’s Avalanche playoff points series

Kiszla: Cute Avs play soft, get eaten alive by Sharks and really irk coach Jared Bednar in 4-2 playoff loss

Logan Couture’s hat trick leads Sharks past Avalanche in Game 3