Brian Lawton

So I've always been okay with that.

But as far as the quality of Minnesota and Colorado, they're both so elite.

That could easily be a final.

Being at that game the other night, I did something I don't do that often.

And I went and I sat down below in the stands.

And I used to do it once in a while in Tampa, but not a lot, just to get a feel for how fast the game is and really how hard players are working.

Minnesota came out and absolutely finished every check, pounded the Colorado Avalanche.

They bent, but they did not break.

And they don't necessarily have some of the toughness.

It's not even size.

Minnesota is a very tough team.

But Colorado took it all, responded.

ended up winning a game where Wallstatt was sensational.

They just never quit.

Their special or superpower to me in terms of Colorado is obviously their elite skill, but it's really their quickness as a team.

They're a very, very quick team.

And although Minnesota was playing an intimidating physical style, Colorado countered with just taking away time and space from Minnesota.

And at one point, you know, I'm sitting down below and I look up at the shot clock and it's 20 to four.

And yet I think Minnesota is effectively

know running out their game plan so that that had to be tough for them but they've got a great team that series isn't over but going back to colorado for any athlete that's ever done that or played there spent time there it's just an advantage that we don't talk enough about it's really hard to go into colorado and play at that altitude and not feel a little different