{"id":441297,"date":"2026-02-02T11:16:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T11:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/441297\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:16:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T11:16:25","slug":"colorado-avalanche-hand-the-montreal-canadiens-a-nice-gift-and-a-big-favor-in-the-playoff-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/441297\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Avalanche hand the Montreal Canadiens a nice gift and a big favor in the playoff race"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nColorado Avalanche hand the Montreal Canadiens a nice gift and a big favor in the playoff race
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Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Jan <\/p>\n

Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Nathan MacKinnon decided to play the hero for the Montreal Canadiens by securing a win against the Red Wings in a one-sided game.<\/p>\n

The final score of 5\u20130 at Little Caesars Arena leaves no room for interpretation.<\/p>\n

The Colorado Avalanche arrived in Michigan with a chip on their shoulder.<\/p>\n

They wanted to make people forget their recent losses to Ottawa and Montreal.<\/p>\n

For Detroit, it\u2019s a loss that hurts in the standings within the Atlantic Division.<\/p>\n

The team is going through a rough stretch, with three straight defeats.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve tasted victory only once in their last five games.<\/p>\n

Nathan MacKinnon took matters into his own hands like only he knows how to do.<\/p>\n

Number 29 scored two goals to become the first NHL player to reach the 40-goal mark this season.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, John Gibson had a miserable afternoon in the home team\u2019s net.<\/p>\n

He was pulled from the game after 40 minutes, having made just 13 saves.<\/p>\n

A nice gift for Martin St-Louis\u2019 group<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great for fans to see a division rival collapse when it really matters.<\/p>\n

This shutout by Mackenzie Blackwood (27 saves) has direct implications on the standings.<\/p>\n

The Avalanche just served up the perfect scenario on a silver platter for the Canadiens.<\/p>\n

“The Avalanche just gave the Canadiens a small helping hand.”<\/p>\n

– TVA Sports<\/p>\n

The victory brings the Habs back to within just one small point of the Red Wings.<\/p>\n

The playoff race in the Eastern Conference (and the Division title race) just became a lot more exciting.<\/p>\n

The Canadiens now controls its own destiny to put pressure on Detroit.<\/p>\n

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

19 HOURS AGO|727 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Colorado Avalanche hand the Montreal Canadiens a nice gift and a big favor in the playoff race<\/p>\n

Do you think the Montreal Canadiens will overtake the Red Wings in the standings within a week?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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