The Colorado Avalanche battled hard to secure their playoff positioning, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on February 7, 2025, at Rogers Place. Cale Makar showcased his talent, scoring two goals and adding one assist, leading the Avalanche to victory. Alongside him, Nathan MacKinnon earned himself four points with one goal and three assists.
This victory was pivotal for Colorado, especially as they aim to avoid facing off against high-powered teams like the Oilers or Winnipeg Jets early in the playoffs. Colorado’s performance came as both teams prepared for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off break, intensifying the need for points.
Makar, who scored three points, had six shots on goal and was on the ice for 29 minutes. His efforts were particularly notable during key moments of the game, including his shorthanded goal at 6:39 of the second period. "You need your big guys to be at their best and carry the load every night," said Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, recognizing the pressure faced by star players.
The game proved to be thrilling, with momentum swinging back and forth. After establishing a two-goal lead following Makar's second goal, the Avalanche saw the Oilers quickly respond with Corey Perry scoring and Leon Draisaitl finding the back of the net, tying the game at 4-4 late in the second period.
MacKinnon played a pivotal role throughout the night, eventually assisting Martin Necas, who scored the game-winning goal with 4:22 remaining. Despite the frenetic pace, MacKinnon noted, "Obviously you don’t want to play a track meet against these guys, but sometimes it just ends up like this. You just have to find ways to produce on both sides. They’re weird games. I don’t know if fun is the right word—hopefully fun for fans."
The Avalanche coach offered insight on the changing tides of the game, saying, "It was pretty back-and-forth and there was a lot of special teams going on as well," elaborately describing the rollercoaster nature of the match. Indeed, the game featured four goals netted by both teams within just 2:34 of the first period, showcasing the offensive capabilities of both squads.
Makar currently leads all NHL defensemen this season with 22 goals and shows no signs of slowing down, positioning himself on pace for what could be career-high totals. With just 25 games remaining after the 4 Nations break, Makar has his eyes on becoming the first defenseman to score 30 goals since Mike Green achieved this feat during the 2007-08 season.
MacKinnon too is making headlines, leading the NHL with 87 points, pulling four points clear of the Oilers’ Draisaitl. MacKinnon’s excellent performance, including two assists from the power play, reflects his intensity and commitment to leading the Avalanche forward.
The game was littered with significant moments, not least the sixth goal by Draisaitl, his 40th of the campaign, tying him for the league lead. This tie was celebrated among Oilers fans, who saw their star player continue to deliver strong performances.
Bednar encapsulated the thrill of the challenge when he said, "We weren’t perfect, but you’ve got to try and carve out results when you’re not at your best." This sentiment reflects the reality of high-stakes games, where composure becomes equally important as skill.
Both teams are now taking some time off before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, where they will have the opportunity to regroup and strategize for their upcoming matches. The Avalanche's next game will see them visiting Nashville, hoping to carry the momentum from this tight victory.
This remarkable showdown between two of the NHL’s top teams showcased the incredible talent and determination on both sides, hinting at potential playoff matchups to come. The Avalanche’s win not only lifts their spirits but secures their current standing as they continue to battle for playoff seeding.