While stuffing my face with cinnamon roll French toast at brunch Sunday, a friend across the table asked if the Avalanche is going to make the playoffs this season. Without hesitating, I responded, “If the Avs play every remaining game at home, sure.”
Problem is, they don’t.
Colorado is 12-16-4 on the road this season, and only last-place Arizona has fewer wins away from home (8-16-6) in the Western Conference, but the Coyotes aren’t exactly eyeing the playoffs — the Avs are. And of Colorado’s 17 remaining games, nine will be played away from the Pepsi Center, including three of the final four, with the lone home contest there coming against the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, Colorado is nearly untouchable at home at 23-8-2 and in 15 games at the Pepsi Center since Dec. 29, only once has it failed to record a point in the standings.
So why the road woes? Beyond having a young team, that’s unclear. While four of the road losses did come during Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon’s absence due to injury, that still leaves just as many L’s as W’s when arguably the NHL’s best player is in the lineup.
Perhaps the Nuggets, who were even more dreadful away from home until tipping off this four-game road winning streak, could lend their Pepsi Center brethren some advice?
The Avs still have a shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They enter tonight one point behind Los Angeles for the final wild-card spot. And thankfully, tonight’s game is at Chicago against a squad that’s playing meaningless March hockey for the first time in a decade; however, the Avs’ seven other remaining road opponents are very much in the playoff hunt. And to date this season, the Avs are 0-5 against said playoff-hungry teams on the road.
So can the Avalanche make the playoffs? Of course it can. But if Colorado fails to pick up an easy two points tonight, well, maybe we should stop being so hopeful.
— Matt L. Stephens, The Denver Post
Want to receive this daily newsletter in your inbox? Sign up for free.
What’s on tap?
-
- NHL: Avalanche at Blackhawks, 6:30 p.m., ALT | Preview | Buy tickets
- NBA: Nuggets at Mavericks, 6:30 p.m., ALT2 | Preview | Buy tickets
- Cactus League: Rockies at Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
- Women’s College Hoops: Colorado State vs. Fresno State, 3:30 p.m.
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
Cactus League: Cubs 5, Rockies 4
Recap | Box Score
Men’s College Hoops: (2) South Dakota 76, (3) Denver 58 — Summit Tournament
Recap
Women’s College Hoops: (8) Air Force 68, (9) Utah State 54 — Mountain West Tournament
Recap
Must-Read
The Kirk Cousins Effect: How the QB will dictate offseason spending for Broncos, others
The Broncos appear to be one of those teams as they look for a veteran quarterback who might be the difference between another losing season and a return to the playoffs. But they’re not the only ones. Read More…
Avalanche rookie Tyson Jost, 19, doesn’t regret going one-and-done at North Dakota
Avalanche rookie Tyson Jost was gearing up for the conference playoffs as a true freshman at North Dakota last March. Nearly a year later, Jost is a top-nine NHL forward and playing in the middle on one of the league’s top power-play units. Read More…
Antonio Senzatela is expanding his pitch arsenal. His spot with the Rockies depends on it.
In one inning of bullpen work, Senzatela flashed the kind of pitching prowess that gave the Rockies so much hope for more from the bearded, burly native of Venezuela. He’s now 23, with a chance to earn a spot in Colorado’s opening-day rotation. If only he can add to his arsenal. Read More…
Quick Hits
+ Here are the Broncos’ draft picks for 2018.
+ Former Mullen High School star J.K. Scott, among the draft’s top punters, has had a whirlwind path to the NFL draft.
+ Colorado Rapids sign Connor Buckley, their first eSports competitor.
+ CU Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre wants these two rule changes implemented for NCAA football.
+ The Denver Nuggets are discovering their road rhythm down the stretch.
+ Jeff Hoffman’s shoulder injury is threatening his chances of making the Rockies’ Opening Day roster.
+ Charlie Blackmon, hitting third, flashes power in Rockies’ Cactus Leaguer against the Cubs.
+ WATCH: Nikola Jokic break dances — sort of — as several Nuggets sing “Happy Birthday” to Mason Plumlee.
+ Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball is in a must-win mode heading into Pac-12 Tournament.
+ And Ronda Rousey has found her partner and opponents for WrestleMania.
By The Numbers
$177.2 million
The 2018 NFL salary cap, a 6.1 percent increase over last year’s cap of $167 million. It gives the Broncos an approximate $23 million in room, according to Overthecap.com.
Parting Shot
Boxer Canelo Alvarez tests positive for banned drug, blames meat
Middleweight boxer Canelo Alvarez has tested positive for a banned drug, and his promoters blame contaminated meat. Read More…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.
