The Colorado Avalanche continue to showcase their dominance at home as they prepare to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in an afternoon match at Ball Arena. With a remarkable record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 7 overtime/shootout losses, the Avalanche have solidified their status as one of the top teams in the league, boasting the best home ice advantage all season long.
In their last outing, the Avalanche put on a stunning performance against the Ottawa Senators, securing an emphatic 8-2 victory. This game marked the first of a lengthy seven-game homestand for Colorado. The Avalanche stormed ahead with a quick 2-0 lead in the first period and then unleashed five goals in just over six minutes during the second period. Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s leading goal-scorer, contributed significantly to the win by recording his 36th goal of the season along with three assists, bringing his total points to 78. Josh Manson matched MacKinnon’s four-point feat, scoring two goals and delivering two assists while also achieving a Gordie Howe hat trick after engaging in fight during the game.
Other key contributors included Cale Makar, who remains a standout defenseman, scoring a goal and adding two assists to maintain his lead in points among defensemen with 51. The Avalanche saw contributions from across their lineup, with twelve players contributing to the scoring, marking a significant moment as they continue to lead the Central Division, Western Conference, and overall league standings. Today’s matchup against Columbus also serves as a conclusion to their series, with Colorado having previously bested the Blue Jackets 4-1 earlier in the season.
On the other end, the Blue Jackets are in the midst of a challenging road trip and are struggling to find consistency, having lost four of their last five games, including a recent setback against the Vegas Golden Knights. Injuries have severely impacted Columbus, leaving them at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson is still recovering from a hip injury, while Brendan Smith’s knee injury will keep him out until April. Key forward Miles Wood is sidelined with a leg injury, and Mason Marchment is also out for the foreseeable future due to an upper body issue.
However, there’s still hope for Columbus. Though they find themselves in a difficult position, they remain within striking distance of a playoff spot, trailing by just eight points for the final wild card position. The compact nature of the Eastern Conference standings suggests that a late-season surge is always possible. The Blue Jackets will look to leverage past successes against the Avalanche; they previously enjoyed a two-game win streak over Colorado, which included a notable victory at Ball Arena.
Today’s game will see the Avalanche put their depth on full display as they strive for another win at home while the Blue Jackets seek to reignite their season amid the challenges they face. With both teams eager to establish momentum, fans can anticipate an action-packed matchup.