Forwards for the Colorado Avalanche wait their turns during a drill in Sunday's practice at Pepsi Center. (Photo: Mike Rice/KOA NewsRadio)
The Colorado Avalanche played well in its first two games against the Nashville Predators in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
But not well enough to get a win.
The Avs trail the best-of-seven series 2-0 as series shifts to Pepsi Center for games three and four this week.
"I thought we played really well," Avalanche forward Tyson Jost said Sunday after practice at Pepsi Center. "A few bounces go our way and maybe it's a different story. There are definitely a few things we can be better at and we understand that. I'm confident in our group that we can bounce back and be better in those areas. I really thin we can come up with some big wins here."
The last time the Avs rallied to win a playoff series after trailing 2-0 was the 1999 Western Conference semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first two games at home, the Avs responded with four consecutive wins to capture the series.
No doubt being back at home should help the Avs try to claw back in this series against the Preds. Colorado was 28-11-2 at home during the regular season.
"When you lose a home game in the playoffs, then you're in trouble," Avs forward Mikko Rantanen said. "We play good at home. We're not supposed to be here, that's what everybody believed. We just have to play like we do at home, play an energetic [style] and have a good start to the game."
Game three is Monday night, followed by Wednesday night's game four. The Avs will look to get this series tied at two games each before hopefully heading back to Nashville for game five.
"It didn't look like to me we were scared of the moment at all [in games one and two]," said Avs head coach Jared Bednar. "We were there to compete and play hard. We made some mistake I think we can prevent and we'll certainly have to going forward in the series. But for the most part I like the way our team is playing."
If the Avs can turn that good play into a couple of wins, things will really get interesting.
Comments from Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen after practice on Sunday.
Comment from Avalanche forward Alexander Kerfoot.
Comment from Avalanche forward Tyson Jost.
Comment from Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar.
All pictures: Mike Rice/KOA NewsRadio
Avs forward Alexander Kerfoot practices Sunday at Pepsi Center.
Avs forward Tyson Jost lets a shot fly.
Goalie Andrew Hammond looks to make a save off a shot by Sven Andrighetto
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar talks with reporters after Sunday's practice at Pepsi Center.