The Oilers come into a much-anticipated matchup on a hot streak. Connor McDavid. Nathan MacKinnon. Leon Draisaitl. Mikko Rantanen.

The Colorado Avalanche (27-18-1) continue their homestand against the Dallas Stars (28-15-1) in the first of two straight matinee games. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:08 p.m. MT. READ MORE: Rantanen Extension Talks Could Pick Up Over 4 Nations Break Today’s matinee begins arguably the most important three-game stretch of the season thus far.

THROUGH GAMES OF SATURDAY, JAN. 18, 2025

The Avalanche and Stars are coming off disappointing home losses, but neither defeat was to a division opponent. Saturday's matchup in Denver could be a four-point swing in the Central Division, where Colorado and Dallas are currently separated by two points.

We are firmly into the second half with a neck-and-neck-and-neck race for the top of the fantasy podium. Connor Hellebuyck will surely start getting some additional rest later in the season, so the race at the top right now is between Nikita Kucherov and Nathan MacKinnon.

The Avalanche scored the first three goals but ended up falling 4-3 to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. It was a disappointing ending to a game where the road team had played the previous night and the Avs seemingly let up in the second period.

There’s no shame in getting beat by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers are the rare team that can create more puck magic than the Avs. Their firepower can be unnerving, and their possession time can be frustrating.

The Colorado Avalanche (27-17-1) continue their homestand against the Edmonton Oilers (28-13-3). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. MT but could be pushed back to 7:50 p.m. since it’s the second part of a double-header on ESPN.

When the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers get together, there’s an overflow of offensive firepower available.

In the wake of a 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Colorado Avalanche couldn’t focus on the past. With a brutal schedule awaiting them, they had to come out against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night and get the ship righted.

The Colorado Avalanche are again Stanley Cup contenders in 2024-25 -- but they should move on from this player ahead of the deadline.

The Colorado Avalanche (26-17-1) open a five-game homestand against the middling New York Rangers (20-20-2). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT. READ MORE: Is Casey Mittelstadt’s Cold Streak Becoming a Major Issue?