Avalanche Face Senators After Loss; Playoff Push Intensifies

DENVER, Colorado — The Colorado Avalanche are set to face the Ottawa Senators tonight at 7 p.m. ET, seeking redemption after falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday. The Avalanche, currently 41-25-3, aim to bounce back and secure crucial points in the playoff race.

Last night’s defeat highlighted both the skill and challenges facing the Avalanche as they managed to put 39 shots on goal but were unable to penetrate Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll. According to head coach Jared Bednar, this evening’s matchup is paramount as Colorado attempts to maintain its standing ahead of the postseason.

“We need to generate more scoring opportunities and capitalize on our chances,” Bednar said. “Ottawa is playing well, so we’ll need to be at our best.”

The Avalanche have made some lineup changes ahead of tonight’s game. Veteran forward Miles Wood and winger Jimmy Vesey are expected to return after being healthy scratches in previous games. Additionally, Keaton Middleton may take Erik Johnson‘s spot on defense.

On the other end, the Senators (36-26-5) are building momentum, having secured victory in seven of their last ten games, which places them in a playoff position. Ottawa is looking to hang onto their wild card spot in the competitive Eastern Conference.

“We’ve had a strong run lately, and we need to keep that momentum going against teams like Colorado,” said Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. “Every game matters as we head towards the playoffs.”

The Senators are expected to stick with the same lineup that suffered a 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens earlier this week. They are also dealing with injuries, with Nick Cousins and Nick Jensen both ruled out for tonight’s matchup.

Both teams are vying for critical points in this late-season encounter, and the stakes could not be higher. The Avalanche need a win not just to recover from their prior loss, but also to enhance their playoff positioning, while the Senators are eager to consolidate their place in the postseason.

Fans can catch the game on RDS2, TSN5, and ALT. For those listening, Altitude Sports Radio will provide coverage at 92.5 FM. Tonight marks a pivotal moment as the race for the playoffs heats up.