Is it just me, or is this year passing quickly? Somehow, we are about to start the final third of May and the third round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. When not writing, this lifelong Avalanche fan has been watching every minute of playoff hockey she can.
If you’re just joining me, the Avs swept the Kings in the first round. At the time of my last post, Game 5 of the second round, Avs vs Wild, was just hours away. The Avs didn’t have to win this game, but they did have to beat the Wild one more time to reach the Western Conference Final.
The first period was rough. The Wild scored 3 unanswered goals. I didn’t like this start one bit, but I didn’t turn off the TV. I love hockey, and I have the added pleasure of watching my team in the playoffs this year. There were still 40 minutes of regulation to go, but I was nervous and discouraged.
There are times, especially in my writing life, when it’s like I’m in that first period, and I’m trailing 3-0. For one reason or another, I’ve convinced myself that I’m behind, my work isn’t good enough, I’m not doing enough. I look around at the successes of fellow writers in my age bracket, genres, or circle of acquaintance, and I’m reminded of the distance between where I am and where I’d like to be in my career. I look at my work and am reminded of my constant pursuit of improvement rather than the progress I’ve made since I started telling stories as a child. Both ways, I’m keeping score, and either way, I’m behind.
Over halfway through the second period, the Avalanche finally got on the board, scoring the only goal of the middle frame.
Many recent days have felt like that second period: I scored a progress point, but it’s not enough. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I checked items off my to-do list, but I didn’t finish all my tasks. I matched or exceeded my word count goal for the day, but I still have many chapters to write. I shared photos on Instagram or scheduled a blog post, but they are like droplets in the ocean of the internet where there is always something else to see.
Going into the third period, I was on the edge of my seat. The last thing I wanted to see was a repeat of Game 3, the 5-1 disappointing detour and our only loss in the playoffs.
To my relief, the Avalanche weren’t done scoring in Game 5. With less than 4 minutes left in regulation, the Avs finally got their second goal of the night. Then, with less than 2 minutes on the clock, none other than Nathan MacKinnon (with help from Marty Necas and Brent Burns) earned the equalizer and forced overtime. In that moment, all Avs Faithful shared the relief and joy of Gabriel Landeskog. With this goal, the Avs had an opportunity to finish the series, even after trailing almost all of Game 5.
Just shy of 4 minutes into overtime—sound the horn!—Brett Kulak (with help from Marty Necas and Parker Kelly) scored the game winner, sending the Avalanche to the Western Conference Final.
It’s been about a week since that 4-unanswered-goal comeback win and I’m still buzzing about it. I look forward to the start of the Avalanche campaign against the Golden Knights, just a few hours from now.
If I’m honest, I don’t have that loud, flashy, playoff round advancing kind of joy in my writing life right now. However, despite my perfectionist tendencies, and amid difficulty and comparison traps, I can still be intentional about finding joy in doing what I love.
I’ll keep you posted on my writing life and pursuit of publication, and as always, LET’S GO PIOS! GO AVS GO!
