Detroit Red Wings Aim to Build Momentum Against Streaking Colorado Avalanche
The Detroit Red Wings’ playoff aspirations are slipping away after they once appeared poised to make a postseason return just a month ago.
Detroit (33-31-6, 72 points) had lost nine of its previous 11 games before securing a much-needed 5-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night. Now, they conclude their four-game road trip with a tough matchup against the surging Colorado Avalanche (43-25-3, 89 points) on Tuesday in Denver.
The trip began with a 4-1 loss in Washington on March 18 and will end with a showdown against an Avalanche team that was once a fierce rival when both franchises competed in the Western Conference. However, since Detroit moved to the Eastern Conference in 2013, the intensity of the rivalry has diminished—just like the Red Wings’ dominance.
Detroit has not made the playoffs since 2016, and head coach Todd McLellan emphasized that his players need to commit to the finer details if they want to end the drought.
“We talk about wanting to be in the playoffs, but we don’t always show it in the tough areas,” McLellan said. “Are we willing to get in shooting lanes? Are we doing the dirty work around the net? Are we battling on the boards when it gets tough? It’s not everybody, but it’s something we need to improve.”
Despite their struggles, the Red Wings have been led by a young core. Lucas Raymond paces the team with 70 points (24 goals, 46 assists), while captain Dylan Larkin has 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists). Alex DeBrincat is right behind with a team-high 33 goals and 28 assists for 61 points.
Goaltender Petr Mrazek, who exited Monday’s game just 1:38 into the first period following a collision, will not play against Colorado, according to McLellan. Cam Talbot is expected to start in net.
Colorado Avalanche Continue Their Dominant Stretch
The Avalanche have been one of the league’s hottest teams, making the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons and winning the Stanley Cup in 2021-22. After retooling their roster this season for another deep run, their moves are proving effective. Colorado is 10-1-1 in its last 12 games and currently sits third in the Central Division.
The Avalanche’s core remains one of the league’s best, led by Nathan MacKinnon, who tops the NHL with 105 points (28 goals, 77 assists). Defenseman Cale Makar leads all blueliners with 81 points (26 goals, 55 assists), while Martin Necas has accumulated 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) between his time with Carolina and Colorado.
Ross Colton, who struggled midseason, has regained form with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his past 12 games, giving Colorado valuable depth scoring.
“You just want to do whatever you can to help the team produce and win,” Colton said. “At the end of the day, two points is all that matters, but you always want to contribute. For a while, it felt like things weren’t bouncing our way.”
Colorado will likely be without defensemen Sam Girard and Erik Johnson, who are both nursing undisclosed injuries. Girard is expected to miss his third consecutive game.
