Avalanche Drop Another on the Road, Fall to Canadiens 7-3
The Colorado Avalanche’s East Coast swing hit another speed bump Thursday night in Montreal, where they fell 7-3 to the Canadiens in a game that slipped away late. For much of the night, the Avs were within striking distance, but a third-period surge from the Habs put the game out of reach and handed Colorado its second loss in as many nights.
This latest defeat drops the Avalanche to 2-4-2 over their last eight games-a stretch that’s raised a few eyebrows, even if it hasn’t yet triggered full-on alarm bells. The good news?
Colorado still holds a firm grip on the Central Division. But with the Olympic break looming, the team knows it needs to recalibrate quickly before a sluggish stretch turns into a deeper slide.
Road Struggles Pile Up
Thursday’s loss marks back-to-back defeats on this road trip, following a frustrating night in Ottawa. The Avalanche had started the trip on a high note with a strong win in Toronto, but the momentum didn’t carry over.
Now, with one more stop in Detroit, the Avs have a chance to salvage the trip-but it won’t be easy. The Red Wings have been one of the most consistent teams in the East this season, and they won’t make things easy.
This road trip is also part of a grueling stretch in the schedule-three games in four nights, with travel in between. The condensed calendar has taken its toll, and the Olympic break is arriving at the right time for a team that’s looked a bit gassed. The Avalanche will need to dig deep to finish strong before getting a much-needed breather.
Colton Ends Goal Drought
If there was a silver lining in Thursday’s loss, it came from Ross Colton. The 29-year-old forward finally found the back of the net, snapping a 26-game goalless drought with a third-period tally that briefly cut the deficit to 5-3. It was Colton’s sixth goal of the season-and one that had been a long time coming.
Despite the dry spell, Colton’s overall production hasn’t been lacking. With 21 points in 49 games, he’s on pace to surpass last season’s totals and could even challenge his career-best 40-point campaign from 2023-24. Thursday’s goal could be just what he needs to get back into rhythm offensively.
Middleton Brings the Edge
Keaton Middleton made his second appearance of the season Thursday night, and while his 12:58 of ice time might not jump off the stat sheet, his presence certainly made an impact. Late in the third period, Middleton dropped the gloves with Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj in a spirited tilt that added some fire to an otherwise tough night for Colorado.
The scrap came after some physical play earlier in the game, including a heavy hit from Josh Manson on Kaiden Guhle. Middleton stepped in to answer the bell, exchanging words with Josh Anderson before squaring off with Xhekaj in a bout that capped the night with some old-school grit.
Middleton may not be a regular in the lineup, but his physicality brings something the Avalanche could use more of-especially as the season grinds on and the games get tighter. As teams start ramping up the intensity, having a player willing to push back could prove valuable. If the Avs are eyeing reinforcements at the trade deadline, a little more muscle in the bottom six might be worth targeting.
What’s Next
The Avalanche will look to end the road trip on a high note Saturday afternoon in Detroit. It’s an early puck drop, and it comes against a Red Wings team that’s been quietly building a strong campaign. For Colorado, it’s a chance to reset the tone heading into the break-and to show they can still bring their A-game when it matters most.
No reason to panic in Denver just yet. But with the schedule tightening and the postseason race heating up, the Avalanche know it’s time to find their stride again.