Good & Bad: Avs Clinch Playoff Spot with Quick Turnaround Win

Despite missing Martin Necas, Jonathan Drouin and Sam Girard, and other uncontrollable circumstances, the Avalanche dominated the Columbus Blue Jackets. Seven different Avalanche players found the back of the net in the 7-3 victory to clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.

Nathan MacKinnon scored first at 16:35 off a pass from Artturi Lehkonen. Three minutes later, Sean Monahan tied it up by popping one past Mackenzie Blackwood.

READ MORE: Martin Necas, Jonathan Drouin Out For Avalanche vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Brock Nelson grabbed Cale Makar’s rebound off the boards and shot it past Elvis Merzlikins for the Avs’ second goal with two minutes left in the first. Nelson is now one shy of 300 career goals.

Makar lets it fly, and Nelson nets it in. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/bEti7QigS6

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 4, 2025

Zach Aston-Reese tied it up for Columbus at 15:41, and Boone Jenner took the lead back at 12:04 with a goal off a save-rebound. That was it for the Blue Jackets’ scoring. The Avs took over the game and scored five more goals.

Charlie Coyle scored his first goal in burgundy and blue to tie the game at 7:21. Parker Kelly got the game-winner, and Makar also scored in the middle frame.

Devon Toews and Miles Wood sealed the game with two more goals in the final period. Blackwood made 28 saves for his 21st win with the Avs.

Good: Full Team Effort

Seven players scored goals and five had multi-point games. MacKinnon, Makar, Toews and Coyle had three points, while Wood earned two.

The lineup adjustments threw off the Avs’ chemistry a bit in the first five or so minutes of the game. But once they got a rhythm going, they took off. All four lines contributed to win the game, which clinched the Avs’ berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“We’re obviously really happy that we secured that spot … proud of our guys for accomplishing that and doing it under tough circumstances — coming in here tonight, on the back-to-back. Guys played well, played a smart hockey game, and they got rewarded for it,” head coach Jared Bednar said.

Good: Makar Breaks Another Record

The 26-year-old superstar scored his 30th goal of the season — the first time a blueliner has done so since Mike Green in 2008-09. He became the ninth defenseman in NHL history to hit the milestone.

READ MORE: Cale Makar Becomes 9th NHL Defenseman To Score 30 Goals in a Season

Cale Makar makes HISTORY with his 30th of the year 🫡 pic.twitter.com/cEXdmx0oHo

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 4, 2025

“He’s such a force in the way he moves, how quick he can get that shot through, and his skating ability. He’s so dynamic. Thirty goals is incredible. 90 points is incredible. He’s an incredible player,” Coyle said. “But you see those players on the outside when you’re not playing with them, then you come in the locker room and see how they are as people, and he’s just a great person as well. And you love cheering for people like that.”

Good: Even-Strength Domination

Six of the seven goals were scored 5-on-5 as the team dominated the Blue Jackets. Energy and effort were high throughout the lineup, which contributed to Colorado’s success.

“Charlie’s not the only one. Nelson scores again. Miles Wood coming back into the lineup had a really strong game — picks up a goal and assist. I thought (Jimmy) Vesey played well. So, we’ve lost a couple guys due to injury here recently on this trip, and other guys are stepping up in their absence. It’s nice to see as a coach,” Bednar said.