Time’s running out for the Colorado Avalanche.
With just six games to go, the Avs (82 points) are three points behind Minnesota (85) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
It’s an uphill battle for the Avs. Colorado’s remaining regular-season games — with the exception of Nashville, which would clinch a berth at 95 points — are against teams in the playoffs, four of which have the top three records in the NHL.
Avs schedule: at St. Louis (99 points, tied for first in the Central Division), vs. Washington (113, first in Metropolitan), vs. St. Louis, at Nashville (91, fourth in Central), at Dallas (99, tied for first in Central) and vs. Anaheim (94, second in Pacific).
The one bright spot is that Colorado has a record of 13-3 against these opponents this season. A clean sweep would get the Avs to 94 points.
But even if they win out, they’ll need help.
Minnesota has two of its six games against playoff-bound teams (Chicago and San Jose), one against a team battling for the No. 8 spot (Detroit) and three that have been eliminated (Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg). The Wild have a record of 9-5 against these teams this year. But it has a 1-3 record against Winnipeg, 0-1 against Ottawa and is 1-1 against San Jose.
How the Wild can clinch: Ten points. Five wins, or four wins and two OT losses. Magic number also shrinks with every Colorado loss.
Nashville faces four playoff-bound teams (Dallas twice, Pittsburgh and San Jose). The Predators are just 6-9 against these teams, but need far less than Minnesota or Colorado for a berth in the postseason.
How the Predators can clinch: Four points. Two wins, one win and two overtime losses, or four OT losses. Or two Colorado losses in regulation.
Regardless, the Avs hope their top two scorers — Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene — will be back soon for the run. , according to NHL reporter Mike Chambers.
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Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or @joenguyen
