Reviewing the last matchups for the Colorado Avalanche against the Metropolitan Division

The first of four division recaps we’ll be covering involves the Avs and the Metropolitan Division. Some things have changed since the last time the Avs faced any of these teams along the East Coast, but there’s still have some very familiar faces as well. Let’s go down the order and recap the last time out for the Avs against the Metro.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Washington Capitals

The Avs played host to the Capitals on February 13th, 2020 in a game that saw the Avs fall 3-2 to Alex Ovechkin’s squad. The Avs had a 2-0 lead in the second and gave up three straight. This was mostly due to penalty trouble, as two power play goals by the Caps lifted them to their comeback win.

The Caps have much of the same team they had in 2019/20, with Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, and a new veteran in the form of Zdeno Chara. This will certainly be a good matchup when it comes along.

The Avs and Caps meet twice this season. They meet in DC on October 19th and in Denver April 18th.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers welcomed the Avs to Philly in dominating fashion, blowing out the Avs 6-3 on February 1st, 2020. This was the first game after the All-Star break and the Avs came out on the wrong foot after entering the break hot.

After falling 2-0 in the first, the Avs had no response. With both a power play and shorthanded goal from Kevin Hayes, the Avs were in the mud from the get-go. Andre Burakovsky and Nikita Zadorov were the Avs best players that night, both with a goal and an assist.

The Flyers have significantly fallen off from two seasons ago to this upcoming season, so things this should be significantly different. They’ll meet in Philadelphia December 6th, and in Denver March 25th.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Avs again suffered defeat at the hands of Sydney Crosby and the Penguins 4-3 in OT on home ice on January 10th, 2020. The Avs were even lucky to get a point out of the game that night.

It was thanks to Matt Calvert, who scored a 6-on-5 goal with 30 seconds left to tie it at three to send it to the extra frame. The Avs did find themselves down 3-1 in the third, keeping Crosby off the scoresheet but opening holes for others on the Pens to capitalize.

The Avs see Pittsburgh twice late in the season, on April 2nd in Denver and April 5th in Pittsburgh.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The first win on this list, saw the Avs have that miraculous victory in Carolina 3-2 thanks to a late Sam Girard winner on February 28th, 2020. The Avs had a 2-0 lead before two goals from Tuevo Teravainen in the third made it interesting.

There has and had been plenty of talk that the Hurricanes and Avs could have met in the Stanley Cup Final that season due to both teams play styles and quick success. Of course, this never happened but expect a good matchup this season between these two.

The Avs visit Raleigh on March 10th, and welcome the Caniacs to Denver on April 16th.

Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Islanders

The Avs won last time out to the Islanders on February 19th, 2020 in Denver 3-1. It was a good rebound win, as it stopped a 3-game slide for the Avs that included the Stadium Series loss in Colorado Springs. Nathan MacKinnon had two assists on the night, and helped his team prevail against a solid Islanders squad.

It didn’t come without its challenges though, as the Avs had to kill off two late penalties to hang on. The Islanders have gotten better, having made the Eastern Conference Finals the last two seasons. Thus, this matchup should be a fun one to watch this season.

The Avs host the Islanders March 1st, and visit the new UBS Arena on March 7th on Long Island.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Avs barely beat out the Jackets 2-1 thanks to two late goals from Nazem Kadri and a belter from MacKinnon in the third. It was a very even matchup with strong goaltending from Elvis Merzlinkins to keep it close.

The Blue Jackets have severely fallen off since the last time these two met on February 8th, 2020. The harsh breakup with John Tortorella and loss of key names has sent them towards the rebuilding phase.

The Jackets come to Denver November 3rd and then have a quick turnaround to play the Avs just three nights later in Columbus on the 6th.

Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Rangers

Everyone remembers the last time the Avs played the Rangers - it was the last “normal” game played before the pandemic shut down the sports world on March 11th, 2020. It went the Avs way, thanks to a J.T. Compher OT 3-2 winner.

Pavel Buchnevich scored the tying goal with only 13 seconds left to force the extra frame after Pavel Francouz stood on his head all night long. After the Avs won, it was then after that the entire world shut down. While the win was great for Avs fans, it was very symbolic for very different and much more important reasons.

The Avs visit Madison Square Garden on December 8th and host the Rangers on December 14th.

Colorado Avalanche vs. New Jersey Devils

The Avs blew out the Devils 5-2 in Newark on January 4th, 2020. Mikko Rantanen recorded a hat-trick to lift his team, and it included a PE Bellemare shorthanded goal.

The Devils had been in rebuilding mode at the time, and since have had a sneakily good offseason. They could make some noise this season and flirt with a playoff spot, so this won’t be a pushover game for the Avs.

The Avs visit the Prudential Center March 8th, and welcome the Devils to Denver April 14th.

So, how will the Avs fare against the Metro this year? Things have changed a bit since then, and the Avs play the Metro teams often in quick succession of one another. Let’s see how it all plays out.

Up next, recapping the Avs last matchups against the Atlantic Division, coming soon!