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Avalanche Clinch Presidents' Trophy with Narrow Win over Flames
Nathan MacKinnon scored his NHL-best 52nd goal and Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 28 shots as Colorado secured the league’s top regular-season record.
On Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1 at Ball Arena, officially clinching the Presidents' Trophy and securing the top NHL seed with home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Colorado's dominant regular season, featuring 52 wins, propelled them to the league's top spot for the fourth time in franchise history, joining Presidents' Trophy winners from 1997, 2001, and 2021.
Center Nathan MacKinnon fueled the victory with his career-high 52nd goal and two assists, reaching 126 points and surpassing Hall of Famer Peter Stastny's 124 to rank third all-time on the franchise single-season list.
With the top seed secured, the Avalanche have four regular-season games remaining before the playoffs begin, hosting Vegas on Saturday to continue postseason preparations.
History suggests Colorado could contend for the Stanley Cup, as eight of the previous 37 Presidents' Trophy winners have gone on to win the championship. The franchise previously won both awards in 2001, a feat they now aim to replicate.