The Avalanche are back at home with a far healthier lineup than the one that left town a week and a half ago. The Red Wings are keeping pace with the wildcard race in the East. Also, are the Hurricanes getting a big piece back in the lineup?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — March 28.

Colorado Hockey Now

Imagine thinking a year ago that it would be possible to buy a ticket to an Avalanche game in Denver and watching Gabe Landeskog and Nazem Kadri suit up for Colorado. Back when Landeskog’s return still felt unlikely, and when the Avs had just acquired three centermen (two with term) to play behind Nathan MacKinnon.

Fast forward to today, and 18,000+ will get to experience this for the first time since June 2022. It’s going to be quite the treat.

The Avs went on the road a little over a week ago after getting blown out by Pittsburgh and losing a nail-biter in a shootout to Dallas. They were missing Artturi Lehkonen, Logan O’Connor, Ross Colton, and Landeskog. All four of them returned and produced during the road trip. Colorado won each of the four games, and they are all expected to be in the lineup when the Avs take on the Winnipeg Jets with less than three weeks to go before the start of the postseason.

Around The NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Habs are in a comfortable spot in terms of odds to make the playoffs.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings badly needed two points on Friday, and they got them against a strong Sabres team. Their playoff hopes remain alive as they continue to keep pace with the rest of the wildcard race. Not much time to rest, as the next crucial game, against the Flyers, is later tonight.

Boston Hockey Now: A familiar face joined two Bruins on the ice before practice on Friday.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Hurricanes could get a massive boost to their lineup ahead of a matchup against the New Jersey Devils.