Twenty years ago, Colorado and Detroit had a strong rivalry. Ten postseason series later, bad blood erupted, and the winner went on to win it all five times in seven seasons.
However, there won’t be the same intensity during Wednesday night’s game in Denver between the Red Wings and Avalanche. Rather than sending a message for the postseason, the teams—who are now in opposing conferences—are only concerned with their playoff positioning.
Detroit is attempting to return to the postseason for the first time since their run of 25 consecutive seasons ended in 2016. The Red Wings are ready to make a breakthrough this year despite not having won a postseason series since 2013.
Detroit has lost two straight games despite still having the best wild card in the Eastern Conference. With captain Dylan Larkin sidelined for at least two weeks due to a lower-body injury, the team must now go to Colorado without him.
The loss of Larkin is significant. He plays on both special teams units, anchors the top line, and leads the squad in points (54), goals (26), and assists. When he missed time in December due to an upper-body ailment, the Red Wings were 1-3, but they were also without other players.
Everyone has to exert a little bit more effort, in my opinion. They are aware of the assignment, according to Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde. “Our third period comeback record is a result of this group’s strong current performance in combat. Even though we lose the first two games on our most recent road trip, we still have a decent time overall. We’re currently traveling through Colorado, so we’ll have to fight and work hard to earn every point that’s accessible.”
J.T. Compher will be playing in his debut game in Denver following his offseason contract with Detroit. Compher was a crucial component of the 2022 Avalanche’s Stanley Cup triumph, but following the previous season, he was cut from the team.
With 19 games remaining, Colorado is now third in the Central Division after retooling in the offseason by signing Miles Wood, Ryan Johansen, and Ross Colton. Valeri Nichushkin, who joined the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in mid-January, hasn’t played for the Avalanche since, but he’s almost back.
With 42 games played, Nichushkin has 20 assists and 22 goals, therefore his absence is noticed. He is almost back in the starting lineup, but he won’t play on Wednesday.
The Red Wings have a challenging assignment ahead of them against a Colorado team that has a 24-6-0 home record, partly because of Nathan MacKinnon’s play. In all 30 of his home games, MacKinnon has scored at least one point. If he scores against Detroit, he can equal Mario Lemieux (1995–1996) and Bryan Trottier (1981–82) for the fifth-longest streak.
The NHL record is Wayne Gretzky’s 40-game stretch from 1988–89.
“For whatever reason, I just feel good this year on home ice,” stated MacKinnon, who is tied for the NHL scoring lead with Nikita Kucherov of Tampa Bay with 105 points.
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