The last time the Colorado Avalanche were in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the world looked very different. In 2008, George W. Bush was still President of the United States, and the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLII. The Atlanta Thrashers were still an NHL team, and the Detroit Red Wings still played in the Western Conference.

In 2008, the Avalanche still had the big three of Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Peter Forsberg on the roster. Colorado played Detroit in the Western Conference Semifinals, ultimately losing in four games. The Red Wings went on to win Lord Stanley’s Cup, the last time they would do so.

The Avalanche now have a new big three in Gabe Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen – and are once again in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, this time facing off against the San Jose Sharks.

Colorado has faced the Sharks four times in the playoffs, splitting the all-time series, with San Jose winning the two most recent matchups.

As they in the Calgary series, Colorado, again faces a team that they went winless against in the regular reason. Martin Jones only allowed nine goals in three games, whereas the Avalanche netminders allowed 14. Varlamov saw two of the starts, and Philipp Grubauer started once.

Last round, Philipp Grubauer was the difference maker for the Avalanche, boasting a .939 save percentage, allowing just under a goal per game, and making countless big saves in big moments.

However, differing from last round’s X-factor, this time around, Colorado needs one of their big three to step up.

Mikko Rantanen had a tremendous first round against Calgary, leading the Avalanche in goals (5) and points (9). This was not the case in the regular season series with the Sharks, though, as Rantanen only had a goal in two games played.

San Jose plays a very physical style of hockey. They would rather possess the puck in the offensive zone than get caught in a track meet with the opposing team. Colorado is a team that would much rather play in a track meet, and their game struggles when they get caught in a physical style of game.

Game 5 against Calgary is a perfect example of the Avalanche successfully playing a fast-paced style against a team that hit everything that moved. Colorado was out hit 44-11 in the final game and still won the game, 5-1.

Rantanen was right in the middle of the success in game 5, scoring two goals and adding an assist. He is the type of player that can play both styles of game. The 6′ 4″, 215-lb winger has speed but is known just as much for his ability to protect the puck with his body.

His speed opens up the ice for one-timed goals. He can pass with the best of them, which will be deadly on the rush against a slower San Jose team. Most importantly to this series, he can use his body to his advantage.

On paper, Colorado wasn’t supposed to make it into the Western Conference Semifinals. On paper, the Sharks look better than the Avalanche. However, this is the Stanley Cup Playoffs and anything can happen. If Rantanen and the rest of his team play with the speed they did last round, the next base camp in the tall mountain ahead of them, could be the Conference Finals.