Colorado coach Jared Bednar said he wanted to treat the final five games before the 4 Nations break like they were the playoffs. His team responded by winning four of them, including a crazy 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday.
Here are three takeaways from Colorado's win in Alberta.
Oilers and Avalanche could meet in playoffs
On Friday, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon and the Oilers' Connor McDavid were enemies. Next week they could be linemates at the 4 Nations Face-Off. And in two months, there's a very real chance they'll be playing each other in round one.
If the playoffs started today, it would be Edmonton and Colorado playing each other. Given how games between these two teams have gone in the past, that might not be much fun for either of the coach's. But it would be a heck of a lot of fun for fans of the game.
MacKinnon, McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Cale Makar playing again in a seven game series would be must-see TV. The Avalanche swept the Oilers back in 2022, but this is a very different Edmonton team. It's also a very different Colorado team. So it's hard to imagine another series between these squads being so lopsided.
From a Colorado perspective, while Edmonton would be a tough team to take down, it might be a good matchup for them. The Oilers are stronger defensively than they have been in years past but when they play the Avalanche, that doesn't always show up. And very few fans will complain about seeing more goals.
Makar gunning for 30
No NHL defenseman has scored 30 goals since Mike Green in 2009. Colorado defenseman Cale Makar got close a few years ago when he scored 28 and he's got another chance at 30 again this year if he keeps it up.
With two goals in Friday's game, Makar is up to 22 on the year. If he keeps up his current pace, he'll finish with 31.
No Miner for McDavid
The odds of Trent Miner starting against McDavid and company were slim to none and Bednar didn't take any chances in this one. With a two week break waiting for him after the game, Bednar went right back to goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Colorado's starter struggled through the first two periods, giving up a few goals he'd probably like to have back, but shut things down in the third.
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Avalanche 5, Oilers 4
What happened: A wild game between the Avalanche and Oilers ended with Martin Necas breaking the tie late to give Colorado the win.
What went right: In a battle between three of the top scorers in the league, MacKinnon was a step above. The reigning Hart Trophy winner heads into the 4 Nations break picking up 7 points in his last 5 periods of hockey. He currently leads the league in scoring with 87 points.
He didn't end up on the scoresheet, but Jack Drury was thrown on the ice late to preserve the win for the Avalanche. He won 3 face-offs in the final 65 seconds, including two in the defensive zone. Bednar already has a lot of trust in him.
What went wrong: It's amazing the Avalanche scored five goals with the top line doing almost all of the work. Secondary scoring continues to be an issue heading into the break and will be something to watch when the team returns to action.
Only one forward played less in the game than Casey Mittelstadt, who finished with under 10 minutes. Not a great sign for how the team feels about him. Maybe the break will be the reset he needs.
Avalanche goal scorers: MacKinnon (21), Makar (21,22), Arturri Lehkonen (23), Necas (20)
Oilers goal scorers: Draisaitl (39, 40), Perry (11, 12)
Between the pipes: Blackwood had probably his worst start in an Avalanche uniform just based off some of the goals he gave up but when the team needed him in the third period, he was there to stop everything. He finished with 23 saves on 27 shots.
What's next: And...break! The Avalanche will be off until Feb. 22 when they travel to Nashville to take on the Predators. Until then, you can catch MacKinnon, Makar, Lehkonen, and Devon Toews in the 4 Nations Face-Off starting Feb. 12.
