Deen’s Daily: Blackwood’s Having Fun; Hutson Enters Calder Conversation; Bruins Fans Have Had Enough

Mackenzie Blackwood is having so much fun with the Avalanche. Also, Colorado starts a crucial three-game road trip with matchups against two teams ahead of them in the Central Division standings. The Wildcard race in the East is heating up, a young defenseman in Montreal has taken center stage during the Habs’ winning streak, and Bruins fans have had enough.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — January 8.

Colorado Hockey Now

It feels like I say this with every set of games, but tonight begins a big three-game road trip for the Avalanche. They’ll take on the struggling Chicago Blackhawks before two crucial matchups against the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets — two of three teams ahead of the Avs in the Central Division. Here’s Colleen Flynn’s story on why the three-game trip is crucial for this team.

The Avs were 3-0-1 during their homestand. It would’ve been nice to see them close out that dud of a game against Montreal, but all things considered, it’s been a successful past couple of weeks for Jared Bednar’s club. Catch my latest 10 Observations following a 3-1 victory over Florida where Blackwood again said something fun after the game.

Catch the latest episode of Rinskide with Aarif Deen — What to Make of Landeskog Skating

Around the NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The roller coaster of emotions that has been the Penguins season hit another rut. They fell 4-3 in OT to a divisional rival also fighting for a wildcard spot. The team lost star forward Evgeni Malkin to an injury before the game. Here’s the doom and gloom Report Card following the loss.

Montreal Hockey Now: Lane Hutson has entered the Calder Trophy conversation. Just how good has the young rookie defenseman been?

Philadelphia Hockey Now: The Leafs are quietly sitting atop the Atlantic Division after another victory over the Flyers.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Halfway through the season, James Nichols checks in on his preseason predictions for the Devils.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Wildcard race heated up on Tuesday, and the Red Wings came out with a big win. The game-winner came from Patrick Kane.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks lost to the Vegas Golden Knights with Alexandar Georgiev in net. Vegas was the last team Georgiev beat at Ball Arena with the Avs.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins got smoked by Edmonton and the fans aren’t happy.

Ottawa Hockey Now: Linus Ullmark remains out. It’s time for Anton Forsberg to step in and step up.