Avalanche Clinch Central Division and Top Seed in Western Conference

Valeri Nichushkin's two goals lead Colorado to 3-1 victory over St. Louis Blues

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:52am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice rink broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and red, conveying the intensity and energy of the matchup.The Avalanche's decisive victory over the Blues secures their position as the top team in the Western Conference, setting the stage for a deep playoff run.St. Louis Today

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division title and secure the top seed in the Western Conference for the playoffs. Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals for the Avalanche, who have now finished as the conference's top team three times in the last five seasons.

Why it matters

Clinching the Central Division and the top playoff seed is a major accomplishment for the Avalanche, as it ensures they will have home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference portion of the postseason. This gives them the best path to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2023.

The details

Nichushkin's two goals came in the second and third periods, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 lead before the Blues scored late to make it 3-1. Colorado's victory, combined with the Dallas Stars' loss, locked up the Central Division title and top seed in the West for the Avalanche.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • This is the third time in five seasons the Avalanche have finished as the top team in the Western Conference, with the last occurrence being in 2023.

The players

Valeri Nichushkin

A forward for the Colorado Avalanche who scored two goals in the game to lead his team to victory.

Nathan MacKinnon

A star center for the Colorado Avalanche who played a key role in the team's Central Division title-clinching win.

Alexey Toropchenko

A forward for the St. Louis Blues who applied pressure to the Avalanche during the game.

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What they’re saying

“Clinching the division and top seed is a great accomplishment for our team. We've worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position, and now we'll look to carry that momentum into the playoffs.”

— Valeri Nichushkin, Forward, Colorado Avalanche

What’s next

The Avalanche will now await their first-round playoff opponent, which will be determined in the coming days as the regular season concludes. As the top seed, they will have home-ice advantage throughout their run in the Western Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

The Avalanche's dominant regular season has set them up for a deep playoff run, as they look to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 2023. Their ability to clinch the Central Division and top seed in the West is a testament to their talented roster and strong coaching, putting them in prime position to make a push for the title.