Avalanche Clinches Playoff Berth with Road Wins: Wood Shines

DENVER, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche officially secured their spot in the playoffs Thursday night with a decisive 7-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking their eighth consecutive postseason berth.

Miles Wood played a pivotal role in the road trip, scoring two goals and adding an assist in two games. His swift adaptation with linemates Charlie Coyle and Joel Kiviranta has heightened the team’s offensive output. While Kiviranta didn’t score, Coyle and Wood collectively tallied seven points across the two games.

“We’re just trying to grow chemistry as much as you can with whoever you’re playing with that given night. Playing with him (Wood) has been a good work in progress,” Coyle said following the games.

Both Wood and Coyle, hailing from Boston, foster a natural connection that has bolstered their performance. Wood’s jovial personality shone through during a pre-game interview as he introduced Kiviranta and Ross Colton while maintaining a lighthearted demeanor. He even practiced Finnish with Kiviranta, learning the language’s nuances.

“Playing with Charlie was very easy. He’s a smart player to play with. He’s very predictable, and being from Massachusetts helps,” Wood remarked.

Wood’s contributions are critical for the Avalanche as they navigate injuries affecting key players like Martin Necas and Jonathan Drouin. In their recent matchups, Wood stepped up significantly in both a dominant win against Columbus and a narrow loss to the St. Louis Blues.

“He’s playing like a hungry player. Since returning to the lineup, he’s really been working hard,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said, praising Wood’s commitment.

Management keeps a close eye on the health of Necas, Drouin, and defenseman Sam Girard, all of whom are day-to-day and may return for home games in the upcoming week. Bednar noted that Josh Manson is also under evaluation for potential re-entry to the lineup.

The Avalanche’s playoff prospect solidified as Cale Makar contributed his historic goal that brought him to 30 goals this season. He joined elite company as the first defenseman to reach this milestone since Mike Green in the 2008-09 season.

Looking forward, Colorado is set to face the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs, pending Dallas’s seeding against the Winnipeg Jets.

Despite their challenges, including navigating injuries, the Avalanche maintain focus as they aim for another championship. With Bednar at the helm, the franchise has made playoff appearances consistently, highlighted by their championship win in 2022.

The full Round 1 playoff schedule will be released in the coming weeks, as the Avalanche prepare for their postseason run starting on April 19 or 20.