![\"NHL:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28085455.jpg\")
Jan 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson (11) gets congratulated after scoring his third goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThe Colorado Avalanche visit the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday on the heels of arguably their most disappointing performance in what has been a standout season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Avalanche sit atop the league standings, nine points ahead of their closest competitors, but are looking to rebound after a dismal 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday in the second outing of a four-game road trip.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Colorado has managed only one win in four games and two in seven (2-3-2) amidst what has been a dog-days portion of their season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “You’re going to face adversity, there’s no question, right?” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “We have to find a way to bounce back again and then string a couple of games together. But it never hurts to go through a little bit of a stretch where you have to push and play your best, and you got to respond.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Colorado, the stingiest team in the league defensively, has surrendered five or more goals in three of its last six outings.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n But that is not the only disappointing aspect of Wednesday’s clash.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Colorado was held to four shots on goal in the first period, the lowest for a period this season. Then the Avalanche mustered the same number in the second frame. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Even after only managing 18 shots on net in Ottawa, Colorado leads the league with an average of 34.6, a full 2.5 more than the Carolina Hurricanes, who sit second in that stat.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We couldn’t really keep sustained O-zone time to even get shots,” said forward Parker Kelly, whose late second-period goal tied the game at 1-1. “So not good enough for us tonight, and we’re going to have to grind one out tomorrow in Montreal.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n The Canadiens are looking to build on a 3-2 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday – the first part of a two-game homestand.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Montreal, which holds the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card position, snapped a two-game losing skid by recovering after surrendering a late lead.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We’re playing some really good teams,” coach Martin St. Louis said. “You’ve got to be calculated, what you do with the puck and your decision-making in the third (period), and I thought we were.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Canadiens boast an impressive 17-6-0 record against Western Conference opponents, but that is not the only noteworthy run.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Forward Cole Caufield tallied for a sixth consecutive game, the longest goal-scoring spree of his career. Caufield, who reached the 30-goal mark, has netted 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in his run.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “That’s how hockey goes. You can go a couple of games without a goal. I just like where my game is at right now,” Caufield said. “I think I’m getting a lot of chances.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Curiously, one day after goaltender Jakub Dobes was spectacular in a 32-save performance, the Canadiens fired goaltending coach Eric Raymond on Wednesday and promoted Marco Marciano.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Netminding has been an issue all season for Montreal, which is near the bottom in team save percentage and goals against.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “This is an unfortunate part of the business,” president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton said. “We’ve had some success with the goalies under Eric. This isn’t a one-person reflection. It’s an organizational decision we made to have a new voice and move forward. Marco has history with our goalies. Some success. We just felt at this time it was the right move.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n -Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n