This was a bit of a playoff type of game for me at least. No, not in terms of emotion, animosity, or physicality. But both teams really didn't want to lose, and it was a tightly fought game.
The Avs have been there and done that, so it's encouraging to see this team able to grind out the win (albeit SO wins don't really count I guess). Maybe they have paid their dues in the last two post seasons, and are poised to go deep. The pieces are there, but really need Panarin to start acting like himself during the post season.
The only thing that still worries me is Zibanejad, who continues to look like horse shit.