Summary
The Colorado Avalanche have officially secured the Presidents’ Trophy, confirming their spot as the best team in the NHL regular season. While this is a major achievement, the team is currently working through injury concerns involving star defenseman Cale Makar and veteran center Nazem Kadri. Meanwhile, other teams in the Western Conference are also dealing with roster changes. The Edmonton Oilers will be missing Jason Dickinson due to a leg injury, and the Seattle Kraken are facing a potential crisis in net as Joey Daccord deals with physical soreness.
Main Impact
Winning the Presidents’ Trophy gives the Avalanche home-ice advantage throughout the entire postseason. This is a huge benefit, but it comes at a time when the team is not at full strength. The health of Cale Makar is the most important factor for Colorado’s playoff hopes. Without him, their defense loses its most dangerous offensive weapon. Similarly, the Oilers and Kraken are finding that late-season injuries can quickly disrupt a team’s rhythm. For Seattle, an injury to their goalie could mean the end of their season, as they are currently fighting to stay in the playoff race.
Key Details
What Happened
The Avalanche clinched the top spot in the league on Thursday night. Despite the win, the focus shifted to the absence of Cale Makar and Nazem Kadri. Makar has been out of the lineup since late March with an injury to his upper body. Kadri, who recently rejoined the team, is dealing with a finger injury. In Edmonton, Jason Dickinson was ruled out for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Kings after hurting his leg in a recent match against San Jose. In Seattle, Joey Daccord is being evaluated for soreness, leaving the Kraken’s goaltending situation uncertain for their next game.
Important Numbers and Facts
Cale Makar has been incredibly productive this year, recording 75 points in just 73 games. He currently ranks third in scoring for the Avalanche. Nazem Kadri has also been a strong addition since being traded back to Colorado, scoring nine points in 16 games, including three goals on the power play. For the Oilers, Jason Dickinson has been a vital part of the defense, leading the team in time spent on the penalty kill since his arrival. In Seattle, Joey Daccord has played 47 games this season with a .896 save percentage, making him a primary option in goal while Philipp Grubauer is also sidelined.
Background and Context
The Presidents’ Trophy is awarded to the team that finishes the regular season with the most points. While it is a sign of great consistency, many fans worry about the "Presidents’ Trophy curse," where the top team often fails to win the Stanley Cup. For the Avalanche, this season has been about proving they are still the team to beat. They made several moves at the trade deadline to get stronger, including bringing back Nazem Kadri. These moves were designed to provide depth, which is now being tested as injuries pile up right before the playoffs begin.
Public or Industry Reaction
Head coach Jared Bednar shared some hope regarding Makar, stating that he wants the defenseman to play at least one more regular-season game to get back into a rhythm before the playoffs. Fans in Denver are happy about the trophy but remain anxious about the health of their stars. In Edmonton, the loss of Dickinson is seen as a blow to the team’s defensive structure, especially since he was brought in specifically to help stop opposing power plays. In Seattle, the mood is more desperate. The Kraken are on the edge of being eliminated from playoff contention, and losing their starting goalie now could be the final blow to their season.
What This Means Going Forward
The Avalanche will likely be cautious with Makar and Kadri. They want these players healthy for the first round of the playoffs more than they need them for the final few regular-season games. For the Oilers, they will need other players to step up on the penalty kill while Dickinson recovers. The situation is most urgent for the Seattle Kraken. If Daccord cannot play on Saturday, they will likely have to start Niklas Kokko. This would be Kokko’s first game in the NHL, and it would come in a high-pressure situation where the team must win to keep their season alive.
Final Take
The final week of the NHL regular season is always a mix of celebration and stress. The Avalanche have proven they are the best team over 82 games, but the real test starts now. Success in the playoffs often comes down to which team can stay the healthiest. Colorado, Edmonton, and Seattle are all learning that even the best-laid plans can be changed by a single injury. The next few days will determine if these teams can overcome these hurdles or if their championship dreams will be cut short by bad luck on the injury front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Cale Makar be ready for the playoffs?
Coach Jared Bednar hopes to have Makar back for at least one game before the regular season ends. This suggests the team expects him to be ready when the playoffs begin, though they are being careful with his recovery.
Why is Jason Dickinson important to the Oilers?
Dickinson is a defensive specialist. Since joining the Oilers, he has become their most-used player on the penalty kill, helping the team prevent goals when they are shorthanded.
Who will play goal for the Kraken if Daccord is out?
If Joey Daccord cannot play, the Kraken will likely call up Victor Ostman from the minor leagues. This would likely leave Niklas Kokko to make his first NHL start in a critical game against Calgary.
