Postgame: Avalanche Defeat Blues, Clinch No. 1 Seed In Western Conference
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Jeff Curry-Imagn Images The Avalanche have officially clinched the No. 1 seed in both the Central Division and Western Conference. Following Tuesday’s 3-1 redemption victory against the St.
Louis Blues at Enterprise Arena, Colorado built enough of a cushion on the Dallas Stars to guarantee the No. 1 seed. That means the Avs will play the No.
2 wildcard team in the opening round of the postseason and have home-ice advantage until at least the Stanley Cup Final. The Stars are locked into a first-round matchup with the Minnesota Wild. Colorado improved to 51-16-10 with five games remaining in the regular season.
The 112 points the Avalanche have is seven off their franchise record from the 2021-22 season. Valeri Nichushkin, who returned from a one-game absence due to an upper-body injury, scored twice, and Martin Necas added the other goal. Scott Wedgewood got the nod in goal, improving to 29-6-6 on the season.
Wedgewood continues to lead the NHL both in save percentage and goals against average. The Avs got the scoring started late in the first period. With a new look second line of Brock Nelson, Ross Colton, and Nichushkin cycling the puck, defenseman Devon Toews fired it on goal from the blueline.