The Colorado Avalanche are in control of their post-season destiny and it’s only fitting that it all comes down to Saturday’s regular-season finale with the St. Louis Blues.
As of Friday morning, the Avs are barely holding on to the final wildcard spot with 93 points. The Blues are clipping at their skates one point back but that could change by the end of the night.
St. Louis will have a chance to leapfrog Colorado in the standings if they can grab two points from the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
And here’s where things get really interesting.
If the Blues beat the Blackhawks in regulation or overtime, they will only need one point against the Avs to clinch a spot in the playoffs. If the game is tied in the third period on Saturday, Colorado will have to pull their goalie in a last-ditch effort to make the playoffs.
To put it simply for Avs fans: win Saturday or miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
While Colorado will have the advantage of playing at home and with an extra day of rest, it hasn’t been easy skating for either team down the stretch. The Blues have lost four straight and the Avs just dropped their third consecutive game 4-2 to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.
Without a doubt, Saturday’s 7 p.m. game at the Pepsi Center is the biggest game of the year.
