The Colorado Avalanche (46-26-4) are on the brink of securing a playoff spot as they face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets (34-30-9) tonight at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on April 3, 2025, in what promises to be an exhilarating matchup with significant playoff implications.
Coming off a dramatic shootout victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Avalanche are looking to capitalize on their momentum. The game on Tuesday night was a nail-biter, with Cale Makar scoring a crucial goal at 10:43 in the third period to bring the Avs back into contention after trailing for most of the game. Martin Necas tied the game with just 11 seconds left, forcing the shootout where Artturi Lehkonen netted the game-winner, marking his first goal since March 10.
However, the Avalanche's journey to Columbus was anything but smooth. Due to severe weather conditions, the team was delayed in Chicago and only arrived in Columbus earlier today, which could affect their performance in this back-to-back scenario. "We need to find a way to lock in our best effort for this game to overcome our travel woes and the motivation gap between us and a Columbus team with everything on the line," a source close to the team noted.
Despite their recent success, the Avalanche have faced challenges with injuries. Forward Jonathan Drouin, who left the Chicago game after taking a hit, is expected to miss tonight's contest due to a lower-body injury. His absence is a significant blow, considering he was playing well prior to the injury. The Avalanche will also be without Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Josh Manson (upper body) as they navigate through a tough stretch of games.
On the other hand, the Blue Jackets are riding high after a commanding 8-4 victory over the Nashville Predators. Kirill Marchenko, who has been on fire lately, scored a hat trick in that game, bringing his season total to 31 goals. Marchenko's resurgence has been pivotal for Columbus, especially since he struggled earlier in the season. His performance has made him one of the key players to watch in tonight's game.
Columbus is currently sitting two points out of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with 77 points. They are in a tight race with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, both of whom have 79 points but have played more games. A win tonight could potentially propel the Blue Jackets back into playoff contention, depending on the outcomes of other games.
Elvis Merzlikins will be in goal for the Blue Jackets, coming off three consecutive wins despite allowing 13 goals in those games. His season record stands at 25-19-5, with a 3.11 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage. The Blue Jackets will need him to perform at his best against a formidable Avalanche offense led by Nathan MacKinnon, who has tallied 30 goals and 81 assists this season.
Both teams are evenly matched on paper, with the Avalanche boasting a +41 scoring differential compared to Columbus's -26. The Avalanche have scored 251 goals this season while conceding 210, showcasing their offensive prowess. In contrast, the Blue Jackets have scored 249 goals and allowed 275, indicating their struggles on the defensive end.
Looking at the previous matchup between these two teams, the Blue Jackets came out on top with a 6-4 victory on October 12, 2024. This history adds an extra layer of intrigue to tonight's game, as the Avalanche seek redemption while the Blue Jackets aim to continue their winning ways.
Projected lineups for the Avalanche feature Artturi Lehkonen alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin on the top line, while the Blue Jackets will have Dmitri Voronkov centering Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko. The matchup of Makar against Werenski on the blue line will also be one to watch, as both defensemen are among the league's top scorers from the back end.
The stakes couldn't be higher for both teams as they enter this critical game. With playoff spots on the line and both teams needing points, fans can expect a fast-paced, high-energy contest. The game will be broadcast on Altitude TV and 92.5 FM, ensuring that fans won't miss a moment of the action.
As the puck drops tonight, all eyes will be on the ice as the Colorado Avalanche look to secure their playoff berth against a desperate Columbus Blue Jackets team fighting for their postseason lives. Will the Avalanche rise to the occasion, or will the Blue Jackets continue their push for a wild card spot? Fans are in for a thrilling showdown.
