Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues: Winner Takes All

The winner of the Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues game will go to the playoffs. The Blues currently hold the last wild card spot.

The Colorado Avalanche must win tonight’s game. We’ve been saying that for weeks now. However, this is game #82. The Avs are out of the wild card spot by one point.

So, the Avs must win tonight in regulation to make the playoffs. If the game goes into overtime, those will be the last minutes of Colorado’s 2017-18 season. And I don’t think we’re ready for that.

All-time, the Avalanche have fared well against the Blues, going 50-36-4-6(ties). However, this season has been tougher, with Colorado taking just one of four games, 4-1 in St. Louis on March 15. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen both scored two goal in that game.

Colorado is coming off a disappointing California road trip during which time they went 0-2-1. They lost 4-2 to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The Blues are on their second game of a back-to-back. They beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1.

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: April 7, 7:00 pm MT
TV Networks: Altitude (Avs feed), FS-MW (Blues feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)

Tonight, as the final home game of the season, marks fan appreciation night. Festivities include Skyline Drumline performances on the concourses throughout the arena, pregame events in front of the Pepsi Center including music and games, and multiple drawings and giveaways. The night culminates in the “Jersey off our Backs” ceremony.

Top Line Must Score

Nine games for both MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog since either scored a goal. They both need to end that drought. This is the last chance for them to end that drought, so they simply must do so.

Rantanen has been the most productive member of that line. In that same time period he has four goals. He’s one goal shy of 30 — it would be great if he reached that milestone.

Secondary Lines Must Score

More from Mile High Sticking

The Colorado Avalanche rookies have been playing well, especially Tyson Jost and Alexander Kerfoot. Jost has three goals in the last four games, while Kerfoot has two goals and two assists. They’ve found some chemistry playing together.

J.T. Compher has gone cold of late, having only one point (an assist) in the last 12 games. He should join the rookie party.

In the last couple games, the Soderberg line has been the best one on the ice. Blake Comeau had an active night against the Sharks. It wasn’t all good — he did sit for two penalties, one of which cost a goal. However, he also scored a goal. That whole line needs to chip in.

Tyson Barrie Must Score

Tyson Barrie is having a career year offensively. Defensively, not so much. However, on the offensive side of things, he’s eclipsed his total points with 56 and scored 13 goals for the third time in his career.

He should pad those points. If he scores another goal, that will be a career-best for him. He should aim for that.

Jonathan Bernier Must Score, er, Steal the Game

If Jonathan Bernier manages a goal, that would be great. However, what’s more important is that he shuts down the Blues’ offense. He can be a brick wall — that’s what we need to see from him. Because the Avs are missing their best defenseman, and what’s left is a hodge podge.

So, Bernier must steal the game.

Side note: I’d like to wish my heartfelt sympathies to the families who lost their children in that terrible tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos and offer support to the survivors.

Next: Avs Youth Close to Milestones

So as not to end this post on a sad note — I believe the Colorado Avalanche can pull out a miracle. Ok, I do’t believe so much as hope. Everyone but Blues fans want the Avs to win — so that’s got to count for something.