The Detroit Red Wings will walk into Ball Arena in Denver ahead of a marquee matchup in the NHL against the Colorado Avalanche. Ahead of a crucial meeting, veteran Brock Nelson reminded Nathan MacKinnon and the rest of the Avs about the urgency Patrick Kane and the away team will be playing with during their March 25 game.
The Red Wings-Avalanche rivalry may be dormant in the NHL nowadays, but it can be awakened on any given night when the two historic franchises meet on the ice. It may never reach the epic, drama-filled heights of the 1990s and 2000s matchups, but the hatred between the two teams and their fanbases is still very much alive.
Detroit and Colorado will see each other’s faces for the final time during the 2024-25 regular season, in a game with huge playoff implications for both parties. Patrick Kane and the Red Wings are coming off a big win over the Utah Hockey Club, and must prevail over the Avs to help their postseason chances.
MacKinnon and the Avalanche, on the other hand, enjoy a much more comfortable position. Yet, though their place in the playoffs is pretty much locked, they are playing for home-ice advantage during the first round, as they compete with the Dallas Stars for second place in the Central Division.
Patrick Kane #88 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on during warmup prior to their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 2, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
However, when the Red Wings come knocking at the Avalanche’s door on March 25, Nelson, MacKinnon, and the rest of the team must be ready to answer the bell. Ahead of puckdrop, the 33-year-old centerman delivered clear instructions to his teammates.
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“We just have to match [Detroit’s] desperation,” Nelson stated, via DNVR Avalanche on X. “We’re kind of on the same spot, fighting still for home-ice, and different things in standings. So, we want to come out, get out to a good start, take care of business. We want to use [home-ice] to our advantage.”
Nelson’s heroics
Brock Nelson was the star of the show during the Avalanche’s 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in their last outing. Nelson recorded a goal and an assist during the game, before burying the game-winning goal during the shootout round.
In a game in which both Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon failed to etch their names in the scoresheet, Nelson rose to the ocassion and delivered for his new team, after being traded by the New York Islanders during the NHL trade deadline day.
Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche stands on the ice during a preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Colorado won 4-2.
Detroit’s big win for morale
After allowing an early goal, the Red Wings clawed their way back enroute to a 5-1 victory in Utah, securing a crucial triumph to lift the spirits in the locker room, ahead of a pivotal clash with the Avs. Kane and Detroit will vie to take the two points on the road at a hostile environment, and climb in the standings in hopes of getting back in a playoff spot.
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Easier said than done, as the battle for the postseason in the East is a bloodbath, and defeating Colorado at Ball Arena is a tall task: the Avs’ last loss at home was on January 22 against the Winnipeg Jets. Since, they are 9-0-0 when playing in Denver.
