Deen’s Daily: Red Hot Avalanche at Ball Arena; Theodore Returns; Trouble in Pennsylvania

The Avalanche extended their home winning streak to 10 games. Two wildcard hopeful teams went head to head and both Pennsylvania teams were embarrassed.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — March 26.

Colorado Hockey Now

Kudos to the Avalanche for easily getting past the Detroit Red Wings. There aren’t a lot of easy games left this time of year but this certainly felt like one. The physicality wasn’t there from either side and there wasn’t much of a late push from the Wings. Colorado won 5-2, thanks to consistent production from Nathan MacKinnon’s top line and the top defensive pair.

The win was just the latest in a run of success for the Avs. They have the blueprint for a long playoff run, it’s just a matter of implementing it.

Around the NHL

Detroit Hockey Now: Cam Talbot was expected to start for the Wings before Sebastian Cossa was called up under emergency conditions.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A far too common theme this season, the Penguins looked pathetic. They gave up four goals in less than four minutes and got blown out by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Montreal Hockey Now: In a battle between wildcard teams in each conference, the St. Louis Blues dominated the Habs. St. Louis has been on an absolute heater since the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: The only team worse than the Red Wings in March is the Flyers. And they got smashed by Toronto on Tuesday. John Tortorella was brutally honest about how it unfolded postgame.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The floundering Devils need more from a lot of guys, including Dawson Mercer.

San Jose Hockey Now: Another college free agent is off the board, this time a defenseman.

Boston Hockey Now: Jeremy Swayman was denied a chance to fight Darcy Kuemper. But its perhaps the first time all season he didn’t get what he wanted.

Florida Hockey Now: Read more about the continued rise of Anton Lundell in Florida.

Ottawa Hockey Now: Sometimes you have a better team’s number. And sometimes it doesn’t make sense. The Sabres beat the Sens, again.

Vegas Hockey Now: Great night for the Golden Knights. They reactivated Shea Theodore off IR and went on to convincingly beat the Minnesota Wild.