Avalanche Seek President's Trophy Against Eliminated Flames

Colorado looks to clinch the NHL's top regular-season record at home against a struggling Calgary squad.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:26am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, red, and gold.The Avalanche's pursuit of the President's Trophy is complicated by key injuries, setting the stage for a potentially unpredictable clash with the eliminated Flames.Denver Today

The Colorado Avalanche, who have already locked up the Central Division and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night with a chance to clinch the President's Trophy as the NHL's best regular-season team. While Colorado is playing for a major milestone, Calgary has already been eliminated from playoff contention.

Why it matters

The Avalanche are chasing the President's Trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, which would give them home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. However, Colorado will be without key players Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar, which could open the door for a scrappy Calgary team looking to play spoiler.

The details

Colorado comes in at 51-16-10 on the season and has been the class of the NHL for much of the year. The Avalanche are led by superstar center Nathan MacKinnon and are one of the league's most complete teams at both ends of the ice. Calgary, meanwhile, is 32-37-9 and has already been eliminated from playoff contention. The Flames are dealing with their own injury issues, as defenseman Kevin Bahl left their last game with a lower-body injury.

  • Colorado clinched the Central Division and No. 1 seed in the West earlier this season.
  • The Avalanche need two more points to clinch the President's Trophy.
  • Calgary is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

The superstar center and engine of the Colorado Avalanche offense.

Nazem Kadri

Colorado forward who is expected to miss time with a finger injury.

Cale Makar

Avalanche defenseman who is expected to return before the end of the regular season.

Kevin Bahl

Calgary defenseman who left the team's last game with a lower-body injury.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Flames forward who remains out with an injury.

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What’s next

The Avalanche will look to clinch the President's Trophy with a win or overtime loss against the Flames on Thursday night.

The takeaway

This game pits a Colorado team chasing a major regular-season milestone against a Calgary squad that has already been eliminated from playoff contention. While the Avalanche have the clear talent and motivation advantage, their injury situation could open the door for the Flames to pull off an upset.