The Colorado Avalanche just finished up a three-game trip in the East, coming away with just a 1-2 record. They beat the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-3 to start out but dropped the last two games, against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning by scores of 2-1 and 4-2, respectively. They are still atop the Central Division by nine points, as well as leading the entire league with a total of 69.
They have gone on two 10-game win streaks, which is extremely impressive. In those two streaks, the team has outscored its opponents 93-36.
Colorado now faces a seven-game home stand, beginning on Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators and ending on January 23rd against the Philadelphia Flyers. They have a 17-0-2 record at Ball Arena this season, so it is clear that they play their best hockey in their own arena, though that is not at all surprising. They have won their last 15 games at home, their most recent loss against the Hurricanes in an effort that pushed things into a shootout.
While “getting right” doesn’t seem, and isn’t, easy, the Avalanche are in good hands with Scott Wedgewood between the pipes. He owns an 18-3-0-4 record this season with a goals against average of 2.20 and a save percentage of .917. The Avs just have to prove that they can be better in the offensive zone. For example, in their loss to the Panthers this past Sunday, the final score was 2-1. The Avs are better than that, and the fact that they gave up just two goals in that game is proof that goaltending isn’t the issue. They didn’t give Wedgewood enough help by putting pucks in the opposing net.
Goaltending has been key all season for the Avalanche, especially during the beginning.
The Avalanche are dealing with something key injuries
Unfortunately, the Avs will spend the next while without two of their key pieces in Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Devon Toews. Both players went down during the road trip, and while the injuries aren’t season-ending, both will miss a significant amount of time.
Bednar says Landeskog and Toews are back in Denver and Landy will miss “some weeks.” Toews is “week to week” and his injury isn’t as serious as the captain’s. Will know more Thursday for them and Blackwood.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ab1gmfD0m4
— Conor McGahey (@ConorMcGahey) January 6, 2026
Additionally, as suggested in the post above, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has been dealing with something and was put on injured reserve six days ago with a lower-body injury.
It’s been shown that the Avalanche have what it takes to make it far. They just have to show that they can do so without some major pieces. Toews’ absence is key because he plays alongside Cale Makar. Now, Makar has a new linemate. Similarly, with Landeskog out, Jared Bednar is forced to switch lines up to figure out the best combinations to win games. They’re also missing their captain, which has proven to be a key loss over the past couple of years. Landeskog is not only important on the ice, but on the bench as well.
They can only control who is on the ice right now. Some other players have to step up into roles they might not be fully comfortable with, but with a supporting cast of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it’s certainly no stretch that they can make it through tough times that are ahead of them.