The Colorado Avalanche (Avs) are gaining ground on conference leading Dallas Stars, pulling to within two points. The Avs are also riding a six-game-winning-streak after defeating the Las Vegas Golden Knights Monday night at Ball Arena.
In the last three games the Colorado Avalanche have defeated their opponents by a combined score of 12-2 with solid goaltending from Alexandar Georgiev. Avs forward Mikko Rantanen has stepped up since the All-Star break scoring 7 goals, 5 assists, accumulating 12 points.
Just before the All-Star break the Avs were looking at a significant climb, back to the top of the rankings however just three weeks later, Avs fans are optimistic that Colorado has a good chance at dethroning the Dallas Stars. Dallas suffered a loss to the Vancouver Canucks in overtime on Monday night. On Wednesday the Stars host the Arizona Coyotes in Dallas.
Avs Cale Makar is set to return to the lineup Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils after sitting out the past two games due to concussion protocol. There’s still no word on when team captain Gabriel Landeskog will return to the ice however it was reported last week that he was seen skating around last Monday which is a good sign for fans.
In other sports, the Denver Broncos now have a complete coaching staff with the hiring of former head coach Vance Joseph for the defensive coordinator (DC) position and tapped Los Angeles offensive coordinator (OC) Joe Lombardi. Head coach Sean Payton has also stated that Patriots Matt Patricia could still have a place in his coaching staff despite not hiring Patricia for the DC position in Denver.
HC Sean Payton and staff are at the NFL Combine in Indy this week to scout incoming draft potential for the 2023 NFL Draft in late April. With Denver sending their first round draft pick to the Saints in return for hiring HC Sean Payton the Broncos are left with two third round picks, one fourth round pick, one fifth round pick and a sixth rounder. The likelihood of the Broncos acquiring more draft picks with potential trades is high; with talks that wide receiver Courtland Sutton could render good draft capital.
The Denver Nuggets still remain atop of the Western Conference five and a half games ahead of the second place Memphis Grizzlies. The Nuggets have won four of their last five games including a 134-124 win over the L.A. Clippers in overtime on Sunday evening at Ball Arena.
This week the Nuggets are on the road in Houston to face the Rockets before returning home this Friday to host the Memphis Grizzlies. Nikola Jokic recorded his 22nd triple double on Sunday’s win making the Nuggets undefeated this season when the two-time MVP scores a triple-double.
With only 20 games remaining, the Nuggets are poised to head into the post-season with the number one seed.
The Colorado Rapids kicked off the regular season on Saturday at Lumen Field in Seattle with a 0-4 loss to the Sounders. This weekend the Rapids have their home opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park where they will host the Sporting KC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
