Which goaltender should Colorado go to in the playoffs?
Q: It has been months since we have had hockey. With the return fans want to know who you see being the starting goaltender between the pipes during the playoff run. Are you going with Philipp Grubauer or Pavel Francouz? — Joseph, Arvada
Mike: Great question, Joseph. I think Grubauer is No. 1A and Francouz is No. 1B. It’s a good problem to have. The Avs love both of these guys. I think the goalies will split the exhibition game and Grubauer will start the first and third games in the Central Division round-robin segment. After that, they’ll enter the first-round, best-of-seven with the guy who has played the best to that point.
Q: Hi Mike, I am looking forward to hockey coming back. With all games being played away from Pepsi Center, I’m concerned the lack of home-ice advantage may hurt the Avs during the playoffs. Would love your thoughts. Thanks. — Tony, Centennial
Mike: Well, Tony, I don’t think it’s going to benefit or hurt any team. The Avs are headed to Edmonton, but even if they do face the Oilers, there are still no fans in the building. That’s where home-ice advantage really plays a part, but even then, the Avs have won an Nhl-best 24 road games this season. They are the best road team in the league. And the nuances of a team’s own rink get figured out by a visiting team pretty quickly. I really don’t think it’s an issue. The only obvious advantage in home ice is last change, but even then Avs players have downplayed that all season based on their superior play this season (they only won 18 home games).
Q: Can you give us an update on how the coronavirus testing is going to work with the NHL? How often and what happens if a player tests positive during the postseason? — Michael, Littleton
Mike: Yes, players will be tested every day in their bubble, with no contact with anyone outside the bubble unless they take a leisure adventure — golfing, etc. If a player tests positive he will be quarantined in his hotel room. But all of this is fluid right now. They’re still pondering what the protocol could ultimately become.
Q: How is the Avs’ overall health going into what looks like a playoff season? — Mike Teague, Lakewood
Mike: They have to be 100 percent or very close. Even Colin Wilson might be good to go. But we don’t really know. I’ve spoken to Ian
Cole, J.T. Compher and P.E. Bellemare and heard others talking but nobody really wants to comment about other players’ health.
Q: Everyone is talking about finishing the current hockey season, but I am also worried about the 2020-21 season and how it will play out. Do you see games returning to home arenas and fans being able to attend games again? — Jessica, Lodo
Mike: I suspect they won’t start the season without fans, Jessica, but if this no-fan experience goes extremely well maybe they’ll think about. I do believe the league won’t begin 2020-21 until December or even January and make that a permanent thing. There is sound thought in not going head-to-head against football in October, November and December and playing into mid-summer or even August when baseball is usually the only major sport in-season.