The Colorado Avalanche (46-26-4) can secure a playoff spot with a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets (34-30-9) on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. MT at Nationwide Arena.
The matchup is the Avalanche’s second game of a back-to-back. Due to weather, the team was delayed in Chicago after its shootout win over the Blackhawks and did not arrive in Columbus until this morning.
The Hawks held the Avs scoreless for nearly 50 minutes, up by two goals. Cale Makar grabbed a cross-ice pass from Nathan MacKinnon and ripped it over Spencer Knight’s glove at 10:43 in the third period. Martin Necas tied the game with 11 seconds left, but neither team found the back of the net in the extra frame.
READ MORE: 10 Observations: This Isn’t the Time for Injuries to Pile on the Avalanche
Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-winner in the shootout to give the Avs two points. It was the Finn’s first goal since March 10 — which was against the Blackhawks.
Scott Wedgewood started his second consecutive game and made 22 saves. Colorado struggled in the first two periods and broke down defensively to allow the Hawks’ two goals — one shorthanded and one even strength.
Jonathan Drouin took a hit against the boards in the first period — which he played a few shifts after — and eventually left the game. His status is unknown, but he is expected to be out of tonight’s lineup.
Jonathan Drouin (lower body) will not return to tonight’s game.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 3, 2025
The Blue Jackets are fifth in the Metropolitan Division and coming off an 8-4 win against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. The teams match up defensively as the league’s highest-scoring blue lines. Makar leads the league’s D-men in scoring with 29 goals and 58 assists, while Zach Werenski is in the No. 2 spot (20g/54a).
Season Series
- Oct. 12 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (L, 6-4)
- April 3 at Columbus Blue Jackets
Avalanche Injuries
- Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
- Josh Manson (upper-body)
- Jonathan Drouin (lower-body)
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Valeri Nichushkin Joel Kiviranta — Brock Nelson — Ross Colton Jimmy Vesey — Charlie Coyle — Miles Wood
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale Makar Ryan Lindgren — Sam Malinski
Keaton Middleton — Erik Johnson
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
*Note: Blackwood and Girard were out against the Blackhawks, and no update was provided. Therefore, it is an assumption that both will play and may be incorrect.
- Unconfirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
- Unconfirmed: Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ)
Upcoming Milestones
- Brock Nelson — needs 2 goals for 300
- TV: Altitude TV
- Radio: 92.5 FM
