Avalanche Become First NHL Team to Clinch Playoff Spot

Colorado secures ninth straight postseason appearance with win over Blackhawks

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Colorado Avalanche became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot on Friday night, securing their ninth consecutive postseason appearance with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Avalanche strengthened their hold on the Western Conference with goals from Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and Valeri Nichushkin.

Why it matters

The Avalanche's early playoff clinch is an impressive feat, as they continue to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the NHL. Their consistent success over the past nine seasons has made them a perennial contender, and this latest accomplishment cements their status as a force to be reckoned with in the league.

The details

The Avalanche secured their playoff spot with a dominant performance against the struggling Blackhawks. They scored four unanswered goals, with Necas, Nelson, Kadri, and Nichushkin all finding the back of the net. This victory solidifies Colorado's position atop the Western Conference standings, as they continue to build momentum heading into the postseason.

  • The Avalanche clinched a playoff spot on Friday, March 21, 2026.
  • The Avalanche's victory over the Blackhawks was the opener of a four-game road trip.

The players

Colorado Avalanche

An NHL team that has made the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league.

Chicago Blackhawks

An NHL team that is currently struggling, as evidenced by their loss to the Avalanche.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Avalanche will continue their four-game road trip, looking to further solidify their position atop the Western Conference standings.

The takeaway

The Avalanche's early playoff clinch is a testament to their consistent excellence and their status as one of the NHL's elite teams. Their ability to secure a postseason berth with games to spare demonstrates their dominance and their commitment to sustained success.