Mostly, however, it\u2019s simply a testament to Necas\u2019 own talent. He\u2019s just hitting his prime, much to the Avalanche\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s grown as a player when it comes to confidence and in his role and in the system that we play,\u201d Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty up-tempo game which fits his style. It\u2019s possession based. I think that all helps him because he\u2019s a really good transporter of the puck through the neutral zone. He likes to skate with it in the (offensive)-zone play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a maturity in his game on the defensive side of things, too, that he\u2019s seen the importance of that when he\u2019s playing on the top line and against top players on the other squad. He\u2019s taken a lot of pride in that. I like the way his game has really come around this year, and he got rewarded by getting 100 points and been able to play in all the important minutes in our games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goalie Scott Wedgewood<\/a>\u00a0said Necas is, \u201cprobably one of the best neutral-zone skaters in the League.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe slips everybody, tries to jump into holes, creates open ice, drives people deep, hits the late guy and when you have him and MacKinnon doing both of that, and a guy like (Lehkonen) or (Landeskog) going to the net doing the dirty work for those guys who like to play with it, it opens up.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he has a hell of a shot; that was never an understatement with him. I just think with a guy like MacKinnon drawing more attention, it opens up his release. Always a great player, just fitting in and high-tempo controlled-zone hockey style that we play, obviously it benefits a guy who likes to hold onto the puck.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, Necas and MacKinnon have created an on-ice chemistry and sizzling connection that is noticeable to teammates and beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cHim and Nate, I have people around the League and friends that text me and ask me about those guys,\u201d Avalanche forward Brock Nelson<\/a>\u00a0said. \u201cThey say it\u2019s like watching a different league, watching their entries, their possessions. Those guys, it feels like they create something out of nothing whenever they\u2019re out there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Avalanche are off to the start they were hoping for in their quest for the Stanley Cup. The roster is deep, loaded with players capable of stepping up in key moments.<\/p>\n Necas is among the best of them.<\/p>\n