The Colorado Avalanche are officially back in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.
A 7–3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night secured Colorado’s spot, and the team didn’t need many words to mark the moment.
The Avalanche account on X posted a simple, three-word message: “Built for this.” The caption was paired with the team’s signature #GoAvsGo hashtag.
Colorado’s win improved them to 47–26–4 and 98 points on the season, keeping them third in the Central Division with five games left.
The Avs still trail Dallas (104 points) and Winnipeg (108) in the standings but continue to gather steam heading into the playoffs after going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
The victory over the Blue Jackets capped a night as symbolic as it was dominant for the franchise.
That's because defenseman Cale Makar scored his 30th goal of the season, becoming the first defenseman in 16 years to reach the milestone and only the ninth in league history.
Makar added two assists to bring his season total to 90 points, matching his career high from last year.
Colorado Avalanche left wing Miles Wood (28) celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Nathan MacKinnon, meanwhile, assisted on Makar’s historic goal and continues to lead the NHL in points with 114.
Between MacKinnon’s MVP-caliber season, Makar’s record-setting production, and the goaltending stability provided by mid-season acquisitions Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, the Avalanche look well-positioned for another deep playoff run.
Just eight years removed from finishing last in the league, Colorado is now chasing its second Stanley Cup in four seasons after hoisting it as recently as June 2022.
