Surprise performers
When a team gets to the second round of the playoffs, it's almost as if its players have taken Stanley-Cup growth hormones. What we see is a completely different look to teams, and a completely different level of confidence once they get out of the first round.

The biggest growth I saw with Colorado over the course of its series against Dallas is that the Avalanche became dedicated to team defense. They just executed perfectly, keeping shots to the outside, and not giving any opponent the middle of the ice for shots that would be straight on the net.

The forwards were a big part of this as there aren't many teams that backcheck as hard as Colorado. But the defense also deserves a ton of credit.

Veteran defenseman Rob Blake, who has won a Norris Trophy, played as well in the series against Dallas as he has all year. On average he logged over 28 minutes of ice time per game versus the Stars. Few defensemen see more action than Blake.

A big surprise in the first round was the play of defensemen Brett Clark, Karlis Skrastins, and John-Michael Liles. These are not well-known names, but they played terrific hockey. Clark and Skrastins averaged over 24 minutes of playing time per game, and Liles logged nearly 19 minutes a contest.

If you asked the average fan in the Eastern Conference who Clark was they might say he was one of the famous explorers Lewis and Clark. Liles they might guess to be a country and western singer, and I guarantee they would have no idea on who Skrastins is or even on how to pronounce his name.

The Avalanche know what they have in Blake, and they are banking on Clark, Skrastins and Liles not being one-series wonders.

Playoff push pays off
In years past before the salary cap, Colorado operated with a much bigger payroll. The Avalanche were accustomed to storming into the playoffs where as this year they stumbled into the postseason by losing five of their last seven games.

The Avalanche had to effort a playoff brand of hockey over the last month or so of the schedule just to get to the playoffs. And being in the mode of having their backs to the wall for such a stretch really helped them against Dallas, which prior to the playoffs hadn't been in a meaningful game in about a month.

So after their convincing elimination of Dallas, the Avalanche are exactly where they need to be emotionally, and they benefited from the rest they earned after wrapping up their opening series in five games. Having been in a playoff-type hockey mode for over a month, Colorado needed a break and got one when it made quick work of the Stars.

Also, no one should ever underestimate the job Joel Quenneville has done in coaching the Avalanche. I've always been impressed with Quenneville and the game plans he devises. Quenneville doesn't overcoach — something many NHL coaches are guilty of.

There are a lot of coaches who are like chefs who overpower their food with too many spices, but on most nights Quenneville creates the perfect dish for success for his team. He knows the Avalanche must play whatever kind of game they have to in order to try and win. He's ready for a run at a championship, and his players look like they are ready as well.

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