But Colorado’s NHL team has long had a reputation for being a quiet bunch in the locker room, even when this group reached the top of the mountain in 2022. The 2024-25 edition started the season slow, bogged down by injuries and poor goaltending. It weighed on everyone. A generally quiet room seemed even more so at times.

Mackenzie Blackwood’s third regulation loss since joining the Avalanche was the first game he allowed more than two goals. Despite making 24 saves on 28 shots, Colorado failed to maintain a three-goal lead and lost 4-3 to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

Miles Wood has more history with Mackenzie Blackwood than any other member of the Colorado Avalanche. They were teammates for part of one season in the AHL and five years in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. They’ve been two of the best golfers on every team they’ve played on.

Head coach Jared Bednar has no idea why the Avalanche can’t translate their 6-on-5 attack to the power play. The real test begins with three straight divisional games. Mikko Rantanen contract talks could pick up in the coming weeks.

As much as the Colorado Avalanche would've liked to cap off this whirlwind of a road trip on a positive note, they failed to do so. The team, which looks a little different having replaced Mikko Rantanen with Martin Necas and Jack Drury,

The Avalanche entered the third at UBS Arena tied with the New York Islanders. All they needed to do was win a period and return home feeling good after an emotional road trip.

The Colorado Avalanche looks like the better team for the better part of the first 40 minutes and then the final period is a problem. Colorado had all kinds of chances in the first two periods Tuesday night at UBS Arena,

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Simon Holmstrom had two goals and an assist for the New York Islanders, who won their fifth straight game with a 5-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche at UBS Arena on Tuesday.

The Colorado Avalanche are still trying to shake off the effects of their trade last week. Still, they’ve had the opportunity for plenty of team bonding as they finish a lengthy East Coast road trip with a matchup with the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.

To say the new guys, Martin Necas and Jack Drury, were worth the trade of Mikko Rantanen is way too soon, and I would never. But, we have to look to the future because what’s done is done and there are still 31 games to be played.

Martin Necas had two assists, nearly scored twice himself and excelled on the top line. Jack Drury scored a goal and centered a new-look depth line while all 12 Avs forwards played more than 10 minutes, a departure from the usual top-heavy distribution.

Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-winning goal with 15 seconds left in the 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon. The two points put Colorado ahead of Minnesota for the Central Division’s No.