'What we were hoping for when we put that line together': Avalanche forward heats up with linemates

Colorado has altered lines through the first four games of the postseason against the Winnipeg Jets but the versatility of the team's depth has proven to be highly effective.

The Avalanche were thrown a curveball when Jonathan Drouin was ruled out for at least the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to a lower-body injury. That left a spot empty on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

Head coach Jared Bednar started Zach Parise in that open spot on the left wing for Games 1 and 2, which the Avs split with the Jets. He changed it up and flipped Parise with Valeri Nichushkin for Games 3 and 4 — which moved the 39-year-old to the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Artturi Lehkonen. That combination has produced eight points in two games.

It is Mittelstadt's first playoff experience and he said playing with postseason veterans has helped him.

"They've been through it and they've done it before. So I think for a new guy like me, I'm not saying much, I'm just just listening and trying to learn from what they have and and what they have to say," Mittelstadt said. "So yeah, not a whole lot of talking for me, but a lot of listening to those guys."

Related: Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin scores 1st career hat trick in Game 4 win over Jets

The Eden Prairie. Minnesota native has a connection with his left-wing linemate Parise — who is from Minneapolis.

"He's probably the only guy I really knew coming in here. Minnesota guy — I feel like we have a lot in common. And now playing with him. I think he's been huge for me," the 25-year-old forward said. "Just see how excited he is, and the way he gets himself prepared to play. I think it's huge for me, and he's helped me a ton. I'm really happy he's here and he's been huge for me."

On his other side, the 28-year-old Finn has also guided Mittelstadt since he joined the team at the trade deadline in early March.

"He's been great for me as well. I think since I've been here, he's been checking in on me and trying to talk me through some things, if I'm confused or a little lost on, so very comfortable with both of them," Mittelstadt said. "You know Lehky (Lehkonen) does such a good job getting open. I feel like he's somehow open all the time. So credit to him for sure. Yeah, the line as a whole, it's been a blast."

There has not been much doubt about Colorado's depth, but finding chemistry with players is what has posed a challenge for Bednar. It has taken some time for his second-line center to get comfortable but the important thing is that he is at the right time.

"There's no question he's excited about the playoffs and he has elevated his game. I think those two linemates they're not only predictable, but they're extremely hard working and competitive. So they come up with a lot of pucks, are tenacious. There's a simplicity to their game — speaking of Parise and Lehkonen — I think helps the most creative guy on the line, you know, do his thing. That's kind of what we were hoping for when we put that line together," Bednar said. "When a creative guy knows where his players are gonna go and knows what they're going to do and they find that chemistry I think it makes his job easier. And you know, that's the ability that Mittelstadt has. He's got great vision, sees the ice well, he's always in a position to shoot or pass and can do a little bit of both and he's got some good deception to his game, but he sees the ice as good as anyone we have. And when you're able to get open and work to open spaces and be predictable for them, then you get a better chance of him finding you."

As long as this second-line combination continues to thrive, there is no reason to make any moves — even as players return or exit from injury or illness. Bednar said it's most important for his team to play its best at the right time and that is what it is doing against the Jets.

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