Colorado Avalanche Start 3-Game Road Trip in Toronto

The Colorado Avalanche hope to keep their streak alive and start improving their road wins percentage in Toronto tonight.

The Colorado Avalanche begin their three-game road trip this evening against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Avs haven’t been great on the road — going 8-9-2 this season. However, they did win their last two road games, against the Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes.

By beating the New York Rangers on Saturday, the Colorado Avalanche have just won nine games in a row, which ties them for second in franchise history. The last time they won nine in a row was in October 2000. Their current winning streak is the longest in the NHL this season.

Nathan MacKinnon is playing ridiculous hockey. He just got named the NHL’s first star of the week. He’s second in the NHL for scoring with 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists). He’s on a nine-game points streak — and, no, I don’t imagine it’s a coincidence that his points streak corresponds with the Avs’ winning streak.

The Toronto Maple Leafs also played on Saturday, beating the Ottawa Senators. They’re currently in the third berth of the Atlantic Division. It shouldn’t be too surprising that their young star, Auston Matthews, leads the team in scoring with 35 points (20 goals. 15 assists). However, his goal and assists against the Senators was preceded by four games without a point.

All time, the Colorado Avalanche have gone 17-13-1-2(ties) against the Leafs. In their first meeting this season, December 29, Colorado won in overtime on J.T. Compher’s impressive effort:

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: January 22, 5:00 pm MT
TV Networks: Altitude  2 (Avs feed), TVAS (Leafs feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (AM 950)

Leafs Notables Against Avalanche

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Though the two teams don’t face each other much, the Toronto Maple Leafs have some notable numbers against the Avs. Ok, specifically forward Patrick Marleau, who spent most of his career (19 seasons) with the San Jose Sharks, has some notable numbers against the Colorado Avalanche.

In 70 games against the Avs, Marleau has earned 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points. He also collected his 200th career point against Colorado back in 2002. So, the Avalanche will want to neutralize him.

Interestingly, though left wing Matt Martin has always played in the Eastern Conference, he has the most penalty minutes against the Avs — 29. Let’s hope the Avalanche’s speed and skill can draw him into a few more.

Also interesting, forward Tyler Bozak skated in his first NHL game against Colorado in 2009 and also collected his first career point in that game, an assist. He then skated in his 300th NHL game against the Avs in 2014.

For the Avalanche, starting goalie Jonathan Bernier played three seasons (2013-16) with Toronto. No other Avs players were ever on the Leafs, and no Leafs were ever Avs. Side note, no Avalanche players are from the Ontario Province either.

Next: 3 Players Facing Increased Pressure

The Colorado Avalanche will not meet the Toronto Maple Leafs again this season. They head to Montreal tomorrow for a back-to-back game.