The Avalanche now gets to test its mettle against the defending champs themselves, as Colorado takes on the St. Louis Blues tonight at Enterprise Center in the first of five meetings between the Central Division clubs this season.
"They have a great team and they won last year. That always gives you more energy," said Joonas Donskoi on facing the most recent Stanley Cup winner. "It's kind of always a good test to see where you are at the moment."
After playing Eastern Conference teams for the last four contests, Colorado turns its attention back to the West and against a division rival. The Avalanche lost all four of the contest it played against the Blues last season, but three of them came in overtime or a shootout.
The Blues being the reigning champions adds another level of intrigue in a division matchup that could have big implications in the standings come April.
"Any time you're playing the defending Stanley Cup champions, they're always going to have a target on their back. It's been the same way for years," said Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog. "It doesn't matter if they're in your division or not. Obviously that sweetens some things and knowing it's a four-point game and how important it is. For us, it's a matter of us coming in and finishing this road trip on a good note and trying to keep this thing going."
This evening's game is the fifth stop of a season-long road trip for the Avalanche, which then plays at the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. Colorado, which will return home for a few days after tonight before going to Vegas, is 3-0-1 on its first road trip of the season and has played all Eastern Conference squads to this point on the trek.
The Avs now begin a slate of games against Western clubs as seven of their next eight are against teams in their conference, including four within the Central Division.
"For us, it's a matter of continuing our momentum and keep doing what has been working for us," Landeskog said. "Playing with speed and taking care of the puck, which has been so-so throughout this road trip. But we've found ways to win hockey games and that is the most important part, so we just want to keep this thing rolling."