The Colorado Avalanche turned the last six games of their home-game stretch last week into a springboard for the second half of the season. As of Monday night’s win over the Phoenix Coyotes, the Avs have now outscored their opponents 32-8 in 7 games averaging 4.5 points per game.

The Avalanche’s domination has shot them into the number two spot in the West Division, three points behind the division-leading Las Vegas Golden Knights. The Avalanche had not played game two of a two-game series with the Coyotes at the time of this writing; however, the division-leading Golden Knights will be in Denver to face the Avs in a two-game series that begins Thursday night at 7 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

The Golden Knights and the Avs are two of the top teams in the league and like Colorado, the Golden Knights are coming off dominating performances in recent days over the L.A. Kings and the San Jose Sharks. This week’s matchup with Las Vegas will be the league’s best gauge for Colorado’s dominance as both teams appear to be injury free heading into game one on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos parted ways with “The Colorado Kid,” Phillip Lindsay, last week and although there were thousands of upset Broncos fans, those who are big fans of Lindsay found some solace in knowing that the young running back that grew up in Colorado, signed a one year deal with the Houston Texans worth $3.25 million with $1 million guaranteed.

Additionally, the Broncos decided not to pick up the option for Kareem Jackson last week sending the safety to free agency only to resign him to a one-year deal Tuesday morning, worth a reported $5 million. Denver’s decision to decline Jackson’s option last week shored up nearly $10 million in cap space but lost almost $3 million in dead cap as a result. Jackson’s signing adds to an already star-studded defense with the acquisition of cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller.

The Broncos still appear to be looking for a quarterback in an effort to provide healthy competition for Drew Lock after a questionable 2020 season. Denver has been one of several suitors for Houston Texans disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s facing allegations of sexual misconduct from at least a dozen women. Despite Watson’s legal challenges, the allegations that have come to light over the past week haven’t affected team’s interests in him.

In other sports the Denver Nuggets have won four of their last six games with wins over the Grizzlies, Pacers, Hornets and Bulls. Denver’s two loses came from the Dallas Mavericks last weekend and the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday in Denver. The Nuggets are rumored to have offered Bol Bol for Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball. Reports indicate that Ball is seeking a $20 million contract per year. No word on the details of the Nuggets rumored trade request were available at the time of this writing.