Avalanche Keep Rolling, But Injuries Loom Large in Crucial Week
The Colorado Avalanche are flying high-and not just because of the altitude in Denver. As the NHL calendar flips toward the All-Star break and the looming Olympic pause, the Avs are in the driver’s seat, setting the pace for the league and dominating the Central Division. But as they head into a pivotal stretch from Jan. 19-26, they’re doing so with some significant injury concerns hanging over them.
Avalanche in Rarefied Air
Let’s start with the big picture: Colorado was the first team to hit the 70-point mark this season, and they’ve done it with a blend of firepower, depth, and clutch play that’s turning heads across the league. The conversation around this team isn’t just about playoff seeding anymore-it’s about legacy.
Could this be the best Avalanche team in franchise history? It’s early to crown them, but the numbers and the eye test are making a compelling case.
They’re winning the tight ones, overwhelming teams with speed and skill, and doing it with a confidence that screams contender. This isn’t just a hot streak-it’s sustained dominance.
Injury Bug Bites at the Wrong Time
Of course, no NHL season is without adversity, and right now, the Avalanche are feeling it on the injury front.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog is out for “some weeks” with an upper-body injury he suffered earlier this month against the Florida Panthers. While the team hasn’t put a hard timeline on his return, the timing is tough-not just for Colorado, but potentially for Team Sweden, with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina right around the corner. His availability for the Games is now in serious doubt.
On the blue line, top-pair defenseman Devon Toews is also sidelined with an upper-body issue and is listed as week-to-week. The good news? There’s some optimism he could be back before Landeskog, which would be a major boost to a defensive corps that leans heavily on his two-way game.
There is a silver lining: goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood returned to action last week, giving the Avs more stability in net. And with Trent Miner heading back to the AHL, it’s a sign that the goalie room is getting healthier.
Star Power Shining Bright
Injuries aside, the Avalanche are being carried by some truly elite individual performances.
Nathan MacKinnon is doing Nathan MacKinnon things-only more so. He’s leading the league in both goals and points, and he’s doing it with a level of consistency and explosiveness that’s put him firmly in the MVP conversation. Every time he touches the puck, something dangerous happens.
On the back end, Cale Makar is once again redefining what it means to be a defenseman in today’s NHL. He leads all blueliners in points, and his ability to control the pace of play from the back end remains unmatched. He’s not just the best defenseman in the league-he’s one of the best players, period.
And don’t overlook Martin Necas. Since slotting into Colorado’s top six, he’s provided exactly the kind of secondary scoring the team needed. He’s meshed seamlessly into the lineup, giving the Avs another weapon and easing the pressure on the top line.
What’s Ahead: Jan. 19-26
It’s a busy week for Colorado, with four games on the docket-three of them at home:
- Fri, Jan. 19 - vs. Washington Capitals (4:00 PM ET, Ball Arena)
- Sun, Jan. 21 - vs. Anaheim Ducks (9:00 PM ET, Ball Arena)
- Tue, Jan. 23 - vs. Philadelphia Flyers (9:00 PM ET, Ball Arena)
- Thu, Jan. 25 - @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1:30 PM ET, Scotiabank Arena)
This stretch offers a mix of challenges. The Capitals and Flyers bring physicality and structure, while the Ducks are a young team that can surprise you if you take them lightly. The marquee matchup, though, comes in Toronto-always a tough place to play, and a good measuring stick for where the Avs stand heading into the back half of the season.
The Bottom Line
Colorado is rolling, and they’ve earned every bit of their top-dog status. But with Landeskog and Toews sidelined, the next week will test their depth and resilience. If they can keep banking points while weathering the injury storm, it’ll only strengthen the case that this team isn’t just chasing a playoff spot-they’re chasing history.