Well, it was a fun ride.
The Colorado Avalanche made a late push for the postseason with a spectacular second half of the season, but they will likely fall just short of a playoff berth. A lack of success within the Northwest Division proved to be their Achilles Heel this season, as the Avalanche gained a total of two points in six games against the Vancouver Canucks, failing to beat their division foe during the season for the first time in franchise history.
Colorado didn't fare much better against their opponent on Friday night, the Calgary Flames. In five meetings this season, the Avalanche are 1-4 against their division rivals. In their last meeting two weeks ago, the Avalanche barely won on an overtime goal by David Jones with just over a minute remaining. Now, with both clubs likely out of the postseason, the stakes are essentially nonexistent.
The Flames can blame a late season swoon as well, with a 1-3-3 record in their past seven games -- including losses to likely lottery teams in Edmonton, Columbus, and Minnesota. At the end of the season, neither Colorado nor Calgary had the talent to make it into the NHL postseason. These two rivals will face off against each other one last time this season before renewing their rivalry in the fall.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. MDT.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Flames blog Matchsticks and Gasoline.