The Colorado Avalanche dropped their first game back from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, losing 2-1 to the Nashville Predators on Saturday evening. The Avs had 4 Nations MVP Nathan MacKinnon and star blue liner Cale Makar back in the lineup.
However, it was Predators’ goaltender Juuse Saros who got revenge, making 31 saves in the win. Saros, playing for Team Finland, was on the losing end of a 5-3 game against Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Overall, the Avs played a rather solid game, but just couldn’t muster enough offense to get the two points. Sam Malinski got his second goal of the season.
Here’s a look:
Colorado goal!
— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 23, 2025
Scored by Sam Malinski with 18:47 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Jonathan Drouin and Juuso Parssinen.
Nashville: 0
Colorado: 1#COLvsNSH #Smashville #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ZJcinudOhO
Malinski’s slapshot from the top of the circle opened the scoring in the second period. However, the lead would last for about 30 seconds as Justin Barron beat former Predator Scott Wedgewood to tie the game.
The game remained tied until Jonathan Marchessault scored for the Predators at 9:11 of the third period. The Avs could not get the equalizer, ultimately dropping the decision. Nathan MacKinnon ended the game with eight shots on goal after playing 21 minutes over 24 shifts. Meanwhile, Cale Makar played a team-high 25:16 minutes to go with four shots on goal and one block.
Blackwood to get the call against St. Louis Blues on Sunday
Backup Scott Wedgewood got the start on Saturday evening as the Avalanche play back-to-back games this weekend. As such, MacKenzie Blackwood will get the call on Sunday evening as the Avs visiting the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center.
Blackwood looks to continue his impressive run since joining the Avalanche in December. Blackwood has a 14-6-2 record to go with a 2.13 GAA and a .922 SV% in 22 games. Those numbers make Blackwood one of the main reasons why the Avalanche are in a playoff spot after a rough start.
As my colleague Graham Tiedtke noted, Blackwood is the Colorado Avalanche’s MVP this season. Despite MacKinnon’s league-leading point totals and Cale Makar’s Norris Trophy season, it’s been Blackwood who’s stepped in to save the day for the Avs.
So, the Avalanche will be looking to get another solid outing from Blackwood as they look to split the back-to-back outings this weekend. The Avalanche are currently fourth in the Central Division, four points behind the Minnesota Wild.
Even though the Blues are 13 points behind the Avalanche in the standing, the Avs won’t be taking anything for granted on Sunday evening. The season has gotten to a point where every game matters. Points are quickly trickling away.
That is why the Avs should come out guns blazing against the Blues, with less than 25 games to go in the regular season. Remarkably, the playoffs are slowly looming on the horizon as the calendar gradually turns from February to March.