January is going to be an insanely busy month for the Avalanche. They play 15 games, nine of which will be at Ball Arena. But before the potentially season-defining month begins, the Avs host the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Eve.
I’ve always subscribed to the theory that calling a game a must-win just halfway through the season rarely, if ever, makes sense. Because if you lose, then what? The season’s over?
I don’t want to say Tuesday’s game is a must-win, but I truly do believe that Colorado could set itself up for a strong January if it’s able to defeat the Jets.
The Avs are riding a three-game winning streak and have played a lot better since goalies Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood were acquired. But while you can only play the schedule ahead of you, Colorado is mostly beating up on bad teams. The four games Jared Bednar’s club has played in December against teams who were in a playoff spot haven’t gone as planned.
The Avs are 1-3-0 in those games and have struggled aside from a 4-0 shutout over the New Jersey Devils. Utah Hockey Club — who they face on Friday — defeated the Avs 4-1 at Ball Arena. Albeit Utah is now on the outside of the playoff picture. The other two losses in December are against Carolina (5-3) and Vancouver (3-1). The Avalanche are 7-0-0 against nonplayoff teams.
Defeating the Jets isn’t just an opportunity to beat a playoff team. But a win against the top seed would be a good reminder to other clubs that the Avalanche are a contender and have righted the ship since their early-season struggles. Winnipeg is 1-0-0 against Colorado so far this season — winning a 1-0 game in nearly November. The Avs failed to score on Connor Hellebuyck, who they lit up in the postseason last spring.
It would also help the Avs regain that confidence on home ice heading into a busy month at home. That game begins a four-game homestand and is one of two lengthy homestands the Avalanche have in January.
Like I said, it’s not necessarily a must-win. But it would be huge if they’re able to pull it off and kickstart 2025 with good vibes and a record that’s at least six games above .500.
Colorado enters Friday’s matchup in Utah 21-15-0.
