Red Wings Strike First As Avalanche Rivalry Heats Up

The Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche reignited their storied rivalry on February 2, 2026, in a clash at Ball Arena in Denver that had fans on the edge of their seats from the opening faceoff. With the Red Wings sitting at 32-18-6, just four points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division, and the Avalanche boasting a league-best 36-8-9 record, the stakes were sky-high in this late-season NHL showdown.

This game, broadcast nationally on FanDuel Sports Network and 97.1 FM radio, marked the conclusion of a three-day home-and-home series between these two franchises. The Avalanche had dominated the series so far, having routed Detroit 5-0 in Motown just two days prior, a game that saw Colorado net five even-strength goals. Nathan MacKinnon led the charge in that contest with two goals and an assist, while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood notched a 28-save shutout.

Entering Monday night, the Avalanche had been a veritable juggernaut against Detroit since the start of the 2017-18 season, holding a 14-0-1 record and outscoring the Red Wings 66-27 in that span. Detroit's lone victory in that stretch came nearly two years prior, on February 22, 2024, when Patrick Kane netted an overtime winner at home. But could the Red Wings finally flip the script in Denver?

Detroit came into the matchup with a strong recent run, posting an 8-3-2 record in their last 11 games and a 19-7-4 mark since early December. However, their power play had cooled off, going just 1-for-17 in the previous five outings—including an 0-for-2 showing against Colorado on Saturday. Alex DeBrincat, though, remained a bright spot, having scored eight goals in his last eight games.

The Red Wings’ projected top line featured DeBrincat alongside Andrew Copp and Patrick Kane, with Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, and Marco Kasper anchoring the second line. Marco Kasper, in particular, made his presence felt early in Denver, scoring a first-period goal against Blackwood—a moment captured in a flurry of celebratory photos as Moritz Seider joined in the jubilation. Detroit fans, who had made the journey to Ball Arena, erupted in cheers as their team grabbed an early lead.

On the defensive side, Detroit’s blue line was anchored by Albert Johansson and Moritz Seider, with Ben Chiarot and Jacob Bernard-Docker rounding out the top four. John Gibson got the nod in net for the Red Wings, looking to rebound after being pulled in the previous meeting with Colorado. Despite a recent dip in save percentage—.825 over his last two starts—Gibson had been stellar for much of January, posting a .934 save percentage over his first ten games of the month.

Colorado, meanwhile, continued to flex its offensive muscles, leading the NHL with a 3.91 goals-per-game average. The Avalanche were coming off a successful four-game road swing and had a perfect 6-0 record in return-home games following multi-game trips this season, outscoring opponents by a combined 26 goals in those contests. Their projected lines featured Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Martin Necas on the top unit, though Necas was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Devon Toews made his much-anticipated return to the lineup after missing 13 games, bolstering a defense already featuring Cale Makar and Josh Manson.

In the opening period, Detroit looked determined to shake off their recent slump. Marco Kasper’s goal, set up by crisp passing and a strong forecheck, gave the Red Wings a jolt of energy. Dylan Larkin nearly doubled the advantage, firing a shot on net while being shadowed by Josh Manson. John Gibson stood tall at the other end, making key saves with help from Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who was relentless in checking Colorado forward Parker Kelly.

As the game wore on, the Avalanche pressed back, showcasing their trademark speed and puck possession. Nathan MacKinnon, as always, was a force to be reckoned with, controlling the puck and generating quality scoring chances. Parker Kelly also had a dangerous look in the second period, only to be stymied by Detroit’s Ben Chiarot and another sharp save from Gibson.

Lucas Raymond was a standout for Detroit in the middle frame, controlling the puck and driving play despite heavy pressure from Colorado’s defense. J.T. Compher and Mason Appleton provided energy on the Wings’ third line, and the team’s depth was evident as they rolled four lines to keep up with Colorado’s relentless attack.

Despite the Red Wings’ improved effort, the Avalanche’s recent history of success in Denver loomed large. As noted by SportsbookWire, Colorado had been 14-1 in their last 15 games against Detroit and had either scored or allowed five goals in seven of their previous eleven games. Betting odds reflected the Avs’ dominance, with the puck line favoring Colorado at -1.5 (+120) and the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals—a nod to the offensive fireworks expected whenever these two teams meet in Denver.

Injuries continued to play a role for both squads. Detroit was still without defenseman Simon Edvinsson, sidelined with a lower-body injury and not expected to return until after the Olympic break. For Colorado, Gabriel Landeskog (upper body), Logan O’Connor (hip surgery), and Martin Necas (day-to-day) were all missing from the lineup, but the Avs’ depth and firepower remained formidable.

Off the ice, rumors swirled about potential trades, with reports from Elliott Friedman indicating that Detroit was in talks with the Winnipeg Jets regarding defenseman Logan Stanley. While nothing was confirmed, such discussions hinted at the Red Wings’ desire to bolster their blue line for a playoff push.

Both coaches—Detroit’s Todd McLellan and Colorado’s bench boss—were under the microscope as the chess match unfolded. McLellan’s squad had been outstanding in close games all season, posting a 17-2-6 record in one-goal affairs. And when Detroit scored four or more goals, they were a perfect 22-0-2, a testament to their offensive upside when everything clicks.

As the final period ticked down, the energy in Ball Arena was palpable. Detroit’s fans dared to dream of a rare win in Denver, while Avalanche supporters expected their team’s dominance to continue. With the game still in progress, the outcome hung in the balance, but one thing was certain: this Red Wings-Avalanche clash had all the hallmarks of a classic, with playoff implications and pride on the line.

Whether Detroit could finally snap Colorado’s home-ice stranglehold or the Avalanche would add another chapter to their recent mastery remained to be seen. But for hockey fans everywhere, this was the kind of night that makes the NHL regular season so compelling.