Martin Necas set a career high this season with 38 goals. But the 27-year-old Czech center scored just once in nine games over the first two playoff rounds. There's been no lack of trying, as Necas is second on the Avalanche with 25 shots. He recorded three goals in as many meetings with Vegas during the regular season, so I like his chances of breaking out of his slump in this series, beginning with the opening game.

Pavel Dorofeyev registered three or more shots on goal in four consecutive games against Utah in the first round, then recorded just one in each of his next four outings. The 25-year-old Russian right wing is back to shooting with regularity, as he has notched at least three in three straight contests, scoring a total of five times. He's second on the Golden Knights with 32 shots this postseason, and I expect him to continue his shooting spree in Game 1.

The Avalanche try to win each of their first six home games to start a postseason for the third time in franchise history after previously doing so in 2000 (7-0) and 1997 (6-0). Nathan MacKinnon has a six-game goals streak and tries to become the ninth player in the expansion era with a seven-game run. The Avalanche's only regular-season loss in the series was past regulation. Vegas lost once on the road in each of the first two rounds. Knights captain Mark Stone has missed the past three games injured and remains iffy. He hasn't been practicing, so draw your own conclusions.