Avalanche Aim to Clinch Top Seed in West Against Blues

Colorado looks to secure conference's No. 1 spot with win over St. Louis

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:10pm

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The Colorado Avalanche are one win away from clinching the top seed in the Western Conference after defeating the Dallas Stars 2-0 on the road. They will host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night, hoping to secure the conference's No. 1 spot with a victory.

Why it matters

The Avalanche have been one of the NHL's top teams all season, winning 50 games for the fourth time in the last five years. Clinching the West's top seed would give them home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Colorado (50-15-10, 110 points) holds an eight-point lead over the Stars, who can only earn 10 more points the rest of the way. The Avalanche took the season series from Dallas with Saturday's win. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 51 goals and is third with 122 points. The Avalanche are also getting strong seasons from Martin Necas (94 points) and Brock Nelson (33 goals).

  • The Avalanche defeated the Stars 2-0 on the road on Saturday.
  • Colorado will host the Blues on Sunday night.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

The Avalanche star leads the NHL with 51 goals and is third with 122 points.

Cale Makar

The Avalanche's offensive-minded defenseman is sidelined with an upper-body injury.

Martin Necas

The Avalanche forward has a career-high 94 points (36 goals, 58 assists).

Brock Nelson

The Avalanche forward has 33 goals, giving Colorado three 30-goal scorers.

Parker Kelly

The Avalanche bottom-six forward has surpassed his previous career high of 8 goals.

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What they’re saying

“He's helped a lot with my offensive game, probably more than the outside public would see. It's always good little pointers that I would have never thought of before with myself. Great leader, great teammate, and there's a reason he's the best in the world.”

— Parker Kelly, Avalanche forward

“He's the most underrated passer in the league. Such a nice pass and I was kind of blessed to have that lay right on my tape like that.”

— Dylan Holloway, Blues forward

What’s next

The Avalanche can clinch the top seed in the Western Conference with a win over the Blues on Sunday night.

The takeaway

The Avalanche have been dominant all season and are on the verge of securing the West's No. 1 seed. With their deep roster of offensive talent, they are poised to make a deep playoff run as they seek their first Stanley Cup since 2001.