How to watch Avalanche vs. Blues first round NHL playoff series

The NHL regular season is officially a wrap and the 2021 NHL Playoffs have arrived. The Colorado Avalanche secured the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the league and will host the St. Louis Blues in a first round series. The 1/4 matchup will open in Denver on Monday, May 17. The puck drops at 10 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.

The Avalanche enter this postseason as the No. 1 seed in the West, just edging the Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado is also the betting favorite at +450, and for good reason. The Avs have arguably the most potent line in all of hockey with Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Behind that trio is nothing but solid depth at forward. The defense features a few of the best young players in the NHL in Cale Makar, Sam Girard, Devon Toews and Ryan Graves. Colorado may also have the Vezina Trophy winning goalie in Philipp Grubauer, one of two 30-game winners this season.

The Blues aren’t an easy out for the No. 1 seed. It was only two season ago St. Louis was lifting its first Cup win. This team is without W Vladimir Tarasenko (injury) and lost D Alex Pietrangelo (free agency), so things are different this time around. Still, the Blues have scrappy forwards and puck-moving defensemen that can cause some issues for Colorado.

Below is a full rundown of the Avalanche-Blues series and how to watch it. The NBC games are all available at NBCSports.com/live and on the NBC Sports app.

All times are ET. *=if necessary

Colorado Avalanche (1) win series over St. Louis Blues (4) 4-0

Game 1: Avalanche 4, Blues 1
Game 2: Avalanche 6, Blues 3
Game 3: Avalanche 5, Blues 1
Game 4: Avalanche 5, Blues 2