Bednar, 54, Faces Tortorella, 67, in Western Conference Final Game 1
Updated
Updated · NHL.com · May 20
Bednar, 54, Faces Tortorella, 67, in Western Conference Final Game 1
18 articles · Updated · NHL.com · May 20
Colorado coach Jared Bednar and Vegas coach John Tortorella open the Western Conference Final as former colleagues turned opponents in Wednesday’s Game 1 at Ball Arena.
Bednar worked in the same organization as Tortorella years ago—coaching in the minors while Tortorella was in the NHL—and Tortorella had considered adding him to his staff.
That shared history now frames a matchup between the Avalanche and Golden Knights, with Colorado hosting the series opener.
The conference final also marks Colorado’s first trip to this round in four years, with the Avalanche entering Game 1 without defenseman Cale Makar.
Can Jared Bednar's analytical system overcome Vegas's playoff grit without its best defenseman?
Can Scott Wedgewood's flawless save percentage withstand the NHL's best high-danger scoring offense?