ALL ABOARD!
If Saturday’s shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights was any indication, NHL hockey in Colorado is officially fun again, and there’s plenty of room on the Avalanche bandwagon.
A three-year playoff drought isn’t that long (just ask the Rockies), but for a franchise that made 10 consecutive postseason appearances from 1995-2006 and only three berths since, I understand why Avs fans are doing so much scoreboard watching during the past month. What the Avalanche is close to accomplishing is a big deal. This was one of the worst teams in NHL history a year ago, and now they’re clinging to a wild-card playoff spot.
The development of Nathan MacKinnon into a bonafide superstar in his fifth season in the league has been incredible to watch, Gabe Landeskog’s offense has taken off as of late, and itap a secret to anyone outside of Colorado, but Mikko Rantanen is a legit star in the making. Veterans Blake Comeau and Colin Wilson continue to prove they have plenty left in the tank, and on the defensive end, the old-young combo of Erik Johnson and Sam Girard is a poke-checking pleasure. I guess what I’m trying to say is, this team is fun to watch. Like, Fortnite-on-a-Friday-night fun. And if you want to see them in person, you only have three more chances at the Pepsi Center before the playoffs begin.
The first of those opportunities is tonight at 8 against Philadelphia, followed by Friday against Chicago before the home finale April 7 against St. Louis in what is setting up to be winner-take-all as far as a playoff spot is concerned.
This Avalanche bandwagon is building steam. Average attendance at the Pepsi Center this season is at 86.3 percent (up from 82.4 in 2017-18) and in seven home games in March, the Avs have averaged 17,498 fans through the turnstiles with two sellouts.
Hockey in Colorado is once again exciting, and if you’re not yet sold on the hype, now is the time. There’s still plenty of room left on this bandwagon.
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on tap?
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- NHL: Flyers at Avalanche, 8 p.m., ALT | Preview |
- College Basketball: Northern Colorado vs. Sam Houston State, 7 p.m.
- Lunch Special: Rockies live chat, noon
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
NBA: Raptors 114, Nuggets 110
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Cactus League: Mariners 5, Rockies 3
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Quick Hits
+ Former CSU, Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken to be featured on a HBO special.
+ Broncos’ Vance Joseph: “By no means is Paxton Lynch done.”
+ Should Avalanche’s Jared Bednar be the NHL’s coach of the year? Mark Kiszla and Mike Chambers discuss.
+ The play of Regis Jesuit, Monarch and Valor Christian at high school nationals again affirms Colorado as an elite hockey state.
+ Jon Gray was named the Rockies’ opening day starter at Arizona for a reason. He set their pitching bar.
+: You’ll know Rockies are legit contenders if Ryan McMahon takes job at 1B from Ian Desmond
+Denver Nuggets briefs: Canadian Jamal Murray returns home
+ Avalanche’s Carl Soderberg nominated for Bill Masterton Trophy.
+ The Colorado Rapids’ match at LA Galaxy has been rescheduled.
+ Itap a catch: NFL owners approve simplified catch language
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By The Numbers
25
With spring training ending Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies are set to begin a season celebrating their 25th anniversary.
Parting Shot
Does Michael Malone’s future depend on the Nuggets making the playoffs?
The Denver Postap Gina Mizell answered your questions about the Denver Nuggets in a live Lunch Special chat on Tuesday. Here are the highlights.
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
