Here are 3 things to watch in Game 1:
1. Battle of nerves
There are going to be nerves in Game 1. This is a huge stage for each team with their matching mantra of Stanley Cup or bust.
The team who handles it best likely will have the advantage.
The Avalanche have had six off days since eliminating the Wild and forward Martin Necas said they are ready for whatever comes against one of the elite teams in the League, a team that is playing in the conference final for the fifth time in its nine seasons in the League.
"Doesn't get much better than (this)," Necas said. "We had a nice rest, we got ready, and we're excited."
But he knows there will be butterflies and he welcomes them.
"It means that the game means something, and it's always the first couple of shifts, maybe, in the series, but then you just go out and play," he said.
Bednar won the Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 but said it still is an exciting time. For him, the preparation he puts in to make his team ready eradicates much of the nerves.
"For me, there is no anxiety," he said. "The excitement kicks in today because we are here."
2. Proper respect
Tortorella knows how good the Avalanche are.
Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy this season as the League's best team and its 121 points were 26 more than Vegas, which needed to win seven of eight games after Tortorella took over just to clinch a playoff berth.
But he's told his team none of that matters now.
Each has won two rounds and is among the four left standing.
Tortorella wants his players to believe they are equal to the Avalanche and he believes they do.
"I will say this about Colorado, they have been the best team, by far, in the National Hockey League," he said. "I think we have a really good team here too. Now it is playoffs, so I think you wipe the slate clean.
"We know what we are up against. We respect them and we are just going to go play. We'll be there (Wednesday) to play. We will be prepared, they will be prepared, and we see where it all goes."
