The Colorado Avalanche have felt like they are on cruise control of late. Having lost to the St. Louis Blues at home on Sunday, the two matched up again on Tuesday night but there were actual stakes on the line this time around.
The Avalanche played a bit more inspired than they had in the previous matchup, a steady confidence and calmness permeating their game here. That wound up paying dividends as the Avalanche coolly dispatched the Blues on their own ice to the tune of 3-1.
Kings of the Conference
The biggest development out of the win, a league-leading 51st for the Avalanche, is that it officially clinched the Western Conference crown. The path to the Stanley Cup will run through Denver, a daunting task for any of the other playoff teams.
It also has to be something of a sigh of relief for the Avalanche given who up-and-down they’ve been since the start of 2026. Sure, they have been dealing with significant injuries, but it felt like there has been something missing from this group of late.
To lock down the conference with five games remaining is big. The Avalanche can now narrow their focus, tighten their game, and prepare for a first-round playoff matchup with (most likely) the Nashville Predators or Los Angeles Kings.
A Strong Top-to-Bottom Effort
The Avalanche played a complete group game in this one. They got contributions from their stars, but secondary scoring proved beneficial. That will be one of the catalysts for them in the playoffs; their depth can be overwhelming at times.
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This was also one of those games in which they checked every conceivable box. They nearly doubled St. Louis’ shot total, killed all three penalties they faced, and even blocked more shots than the Blues.
The Avalanche have the capacity to not only outscore everyone, they can simply grind teams to dust with their speed, depth, and 200-foot play. This was one of those examples of what happens when the Avalanche simply play their game from start to finish.
The Nuke Unleashed
From an individual standpoint, this was an impressive game for Valeri Nichushkin. The man affectionately known as “Nuke” has had something of a down season, at least compared to the last several with the Avalanche.
He scored twice on Tuesday, including an impressive between-the-legs shorthanded effort to virtually put the game away. He has developed more of a playmaking side – his 30 assists are tied for the most in a single season in his career – and the Avalanche will need the big, physical winger to be a difference-maker.
Nichushkin is capable of playing anywhere in the lineup but could become a difficult problem to handle for opponents when paired with Brock Nelson. It will be interesting to see where coach Jared Bednar plays him when the playoffs begin.
Finding Intensity Down the Stretch
With the conference and division locked up, the Avalanche literally have nothing to play for over the final five games. They could choose to rest some key players but the more important thing to do, especially over the last two games, will be to find that intensity again.
Even with a little complacency, they should walk through the first round, but it isn’t something they should risk. They need to find that sense of urgency, that little extra something that helps make them so tough to play against, especially with a gauntlet waiting in round two in the form of the Dallas Stars or Minnesota Wild.
