DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche continued their impressive run, defeating the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on March 25, 2025, marking their 10th consecutive home victory. With this win, the Avalanche improved their record to 11-1-1 in their last 13 games, showcasing a blend of offensive firepower and solid goaltending.
Nathan MacKinnon, who had been quiet in recent outings with just three points in his last six games, was instrumental in the victory, contributing a goal and an assist. His performance not only helped the Avalanche secure the win but also extended his point streak to 22 consecutive home games, tying the longest such streak in the NHL this season.
Devon Toews had a standout night as well, recording three points, including a goal that solidified the Avalanche's lead. Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin, and Logan O’Connor also found the back of the net, while Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas each provided two assists, further adding to the offensive output.
The game began with a power-play goal from former Avalanche player J.T. Compher, who put the Red Wings on the board first just six minutes into the match. However, the Avalanche responded quickly, with Cale Makar evening the score just 44 seconds later. Makar's shot deflected off a Red Wings defenseman and into the net, marking his 27th goal of the season.
Valeri Nichushkin then gave Colorado the lead at 12:52 of the first period, capitalizing on a rebound from a Jonathan Drouin shot. The Avalanche's top line, featuring MacKinnon, Nichushkin, and Drouin, dominated their shifts, generating 21 shot attempts and scoring two goals in just under 14 minutes of 5-on-5 play.
In the second period, Toews scored the game-winning goal on the power play, bringing the score to 3-1 early in the frame. His blast from the point came off a setup from Martin Necas, showcasing the depth of Colorado's offensive capabilities.
Despite a few shaky moments in their defensive zone, the Avalanche's goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was solid, making 21 saves on 23 shots. Blackwood's performance was crucial, especially given the high-danger chances he faced. He stopped six of the eight high-danger shots, demonstrating his ability to come up big when needed.
The Red Wings managed to cut the deficit to two goals with Austin Watson's score at 3:07 left in the game, but Logan O’Connor sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, assisted by Toews, with just 2:04 remaining.
Head coach Jared Bednar described the game as a “slugfest,” acknowledging that while the team's energy wasn't at its peak, they made good decisions and played with a strong sense of responsibility. “I liked our game, but it was a little bit of a slugfest for us tonight,” Bednar said. “We checked as hard as our legs would let us.”
The Avalanche now stand at 17-2-2 at home since December 14, 2024, and their home win streak is tied for the second-longest in franchise history. The victory against the Red Wings also improved their record against Detroit to 13-0-1 in their past 14 matchups, further solidifying their dominance over the team.
As the Avalanche prepare to host the Los Angeles Kings next, they remain a formidable force in the NHL, with their sights set on maintaining their high level of play as they head into the final stretch of the season. With key players like MacKinnon and Toews stepping up, the team is poised for a strong playoff run.
The Red Wings, on the other hand, face a challenging road ahead as they return home after a four-game road trip. They are still in the hunt for a playoff spot but will need to find a way to string together wins to secure their position.
