Deen’s Daily: Avalanche host Kadri’s Flames; Montreal Gets Statement Win; Celebrini’s Bizarre Car Incident

The Avalanche face an old friend tonight. One Canadian team is trying to lock up the second wildcard spot in the East. Can another do the same in the West? Also, Macklin Celebrini’s car was hit by whom?!

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — March 31.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avs welcome Nazem Kadri and the Calgary Flames to town later this evening. While awaiting puck drop on the third-last home game of the regular season, you can get caught up on my latest 10 Observations piece following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Blues.

Colorado saw its 11-game winning streak at Ball Arena come to an end despite playing pretty well overall.

Avs are 45-26-3 in 74 GP

It took 27 games for them to have 13 regulation losses (14-13-0)

It took 47 games for them to get another 13 regulation losses (31-13-3)

Game No. 28 was the last game Georgiev played before the trade for Blackwood

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) March 30, 2025

Around the NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs are playing like they want that last wildcard spot. And it’s largely thanks to elevated play from Nick Suzuki in recent weeks. Montreal was victorious, again, over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Florida Hockey Now: That loss pushed Florida down to third in the Atlantic Division. Could they start the playoffs on the road?

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings are still within reach of the last spot in the East. But they’ll have to go through the red-hot Blues to help get there. And they’ll need all the offense they can get from Marco Kasper.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks’ good vibes might be disappearing as the end of the season nears. They were blown out for the second straight night on Sunday. In a bizarre story, Macklin Celebrini’s car was hit on Saturday by… The New York Rangers team bus?!

Ottawa Hockey Now: The Senators are running away with the first wildcard seed in the East. But they only got one point against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: One goal from Sidney Crosby in OT was all it took. Also, an incredible shift-by-shift breakdown from Dan Kingerski on the play of Rutger McGroarty.

NYI Hockey Now: The luck on Long Island may finally be wearing off. Patrick Roy’s club lost for the fourth straight time.

Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights could be the next team to officially clinch their playoff spot.

Chicago Hockey Now: Two more first-round picks made their NHL debuts on Sunday, but the Blackhawks still lost to Utah.