Missing Makar | Avalanche Review Game 76

The DNVR Colorado Avalanche Podcast reviews Game 76, a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, highlighting a defensive collapse despite strong early efforts and a solid performance from the fourth line. Parker Kelly scored his 20th goal of the season, a milestone given his previous career high was eight, and the Avs' power play struggled without Kael McCarr, going 0-for-6. The episode focuses heavily on defensive breakdowns, particularly from the top pairing of Devon Taves and Sam Malinsky, whose poor decision-making and positioning led to Robert Thomas scoring all three Blues goals. Despite the loss, the hosts emphasize the Avs' overall resilience, noting their penalty kill was perfect and that they remain in a strong position to clinch the Western Conference, especially if Dallas falters. The absence of Makar and McCarr is a recurring theme, with Taves' decline in defensive play and Malinsky's lack of situational awareness under scrutiny. The hosts express cautious optimism, stressing that one loss doesn't jeopardize their playoff positioning.