Jared Bednar’s tenure with the Colorado Avalanche hasn’t just been successful - it’s been transformative. After a rocky start in his first season, where the Avs managed only 22 wins, Bednar has helped turn Colorado into one of the NHL’s most consistent powerhouses.
Since then, only the Tampa Bay Lightning have more total wins than the Avalanche’s 404 under Bednar. And when it comes to regulation wins - the ones that don’t need overtime or a shootout - Colorado leads the entire league with 337.
But if there’s one opponent Bednar and the Avalanche have absolutely owned, it’s the Detroit Red Wings.
Saturday’s 5-0 shutout was just the latest chapter in Colorado’s dominance over their old rivals. That win marked Bednar’s 15th victory in 17 games against Detroit.
The Avs are now 15-1-1 against the Red Wings in the Bednar era - and that lone regulation loss? It came way back at Joe Louis Arena, before Detroit moved into Little Caesars Arena in 2017.
“I can’t explain it,” Bednar said after the win. “It’s weird because you’ll play teams that have your number - like Utah, they play us extremely hard.
Nashville’s played us really hard this year. They’ll lose a handful of games, then come and play us like a playoff team.
I can’t explain it.”
Colorado had swept the season series last year before finally dropping one in overtime at Little Caesars Arena in 2024. Even with the point earned, that OT loss snapped a 10-game win streak over the Red Wings that had stretched from 2017 to 2024 - the longest active streak between any two NHL teams at the time.
Now, the Avalanche have a chance to extend their home dominance against Detroit on Monday night at Ball Arena. And if history is any indication, they’re in a good spot to do it.
The Red Wings haven’t won in Colorado since February 2016 - and that was an outdoor Stadium Series game at Coors Field, back when Patrick Roy was behind the bench. You’d have to go all the way back to February 2015 to find Detroit’s last win at Ball Arena.
Since then, Colorado has rattled off eight straight home wins against the Wings.
“I think some teams just match up well against others,” Bednar added. “Maybe it’s individual players who like playing in certain buildings, or maybe it’s just a group thing.
Maybe they’re not intimidated by certain teams. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes the difference.”
The Avs are also getting a key piece back in the lineup. Devon Toews, who hasn’t played since January 2, is returning to action.
He’ll be reunited with Cale Makar on the top defensive pair - a duo that’s been one of the most reliable and dynamic in the league. That shift means Sam Malinski and Samuel Girard will likely be paired again, while Keaton Middleton comes out of the lineup.
Forward Martin Necas remains sidelined.
Up front, the Avs are sticking with a top line that looked dangerous in Detroit. Nathan MacKinnon, flanked by Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin - both left shots - had a standout game at LCA.
Afterward, MacKinnon noted how familiar the setup felt, having played much of his career alongside two left-shot wingers before the Mikko Rantanen trade. That group will stay intact for now, though it’ll be worth watching whether Necas rejoins MacKinnon once he’s healthy, possibly as soon as Wednesday before the break.
In net, Colorado is riding the hot hand. Mackenzie Blackwood will get the start again after a 28-save shutout on Saturday - his third of the season. He’s been quietly excellent, posting a 15-4-1 record with a .917 save percentage and winning two of three starts during the recent road trip.
He’ll face off once more against Detroit’s John Gibson, who had a rough outing last time. The Avalanche chased Gibson after two periods, lighting him up for four goals on just 17 shots. That marked only his fourth regulation loss over the past two months.
With Bednar’s track record, the Avs’ home streak against Detroit, and Blackwood’s current form, Colorado has a chance to keep their foot on the gas and continue their long-standing dominance over the Red Wings. Monday night at Ball Arena could be another reminder that, in this rivalry, the Avalanche still hold the high ground.