Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET (8:00 PM MT)
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Broadcast: The game will be available on ESPN+, NHL Network, and regional broadcasts, with live coverage on platforms like NHL.tv and radio affiliates.
The Colorado Avalanche (33-4-7) host the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-15-7) in a cross-conference showdown at Ball Arena. Colorado enters as heavy favorites, riding an unbeaten regulation streak at home (19-0-2) and aiming to tie their franchise record for longest home winning streak. Toronto, one point out of a wild-card spot in the East, looks to build on a strong recent run (7-1-2 in last 10) but faces a daunting road test against the league’s top team. Key storylines include Colorado’s dominant offense (4.05 goals per game) testing Toronto’s improving defense (2.6 goals against in last 10), and the Avalanche’s injury-hit blue line potentially exposing vulnerabilities against Toronto’s skilled forwards.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are in good form, with Colorado going 8-2-0 in their last 10 (averaging 4.2 goals scored, 1.9 allowed) and Toronto 7-1-2 (averaging 4.0 goals scored, 2.6 allowed). The Avalanche have emphasized home dominance, winning their last two by a combined 12-2, while the Maple Leafs have won three straight, including shutouts and overtime thrillers.
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Maple Leafs | Jan 10, 2026 | vs Vancouver Canucks | Win | 5-0 |
| Maple Leafs | Jan 8, 2026 | vs Philadelphia Flyers | Win (OT) | 2-1 |
| Maple Leafs | Jan 6, 2026 | vs Florida Panthers | Win | 4-1 |
| Maple Leafs | Jan 3, 2026 | vs New York Islanders | Loss (OT) | 3-4 |
| Maple Leafs | Jan 1, 2026 | vs Winnipeg Jets | Win | 6-5 |
| Avalanche | Jan 10, 2026 | vs Columbus Blue Jackets | Win | 4-0 |
| Avalanche | Jan 8, 2026 | vs Ottawa Senators | Win | 8-2 |
| Avalanche | Jan 6, 2026 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning | Loss | 2-4 |
| Avalanche | Jan 4, 2026 | @ Florida Panthers | Loss | 1-2 |
| Avalanche | Jan 3, 2026 | vs Carolina Hurricanes | Win | 5-3 |
Injury Report
Colorado’s depth is tested with several key absences on defense and in goal, potentially forcing younger players into bigger roles. Toronto’s injuries are mostly defensive, but Anthony Stolarz’s status could impact goaltending if Joseph Woll starts back-to-back. Both teams report game-time decisions from recent practices.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Christopher Tanev (D): Out (Groin) – Estimated Return: Indefinite (on IR since Dec 30, 2025)
Dakota Mermis (D): Out (Lower Body) – Estimated Return: Mid-February 2026 (on IR, out a month)
Anthony Stolarz (G): Day-To-Day (Upper Body) – Estimated Return: Jan 12, 2026 (progressing, expected to join road trip)
Dakota Joshua (C): Out (Upper Body) – Estimated Return: Extended time (on IR since Dec 30, 2025)
Colorado Avalanche:
Gabriel Landeskog (LW): Out (Upper Body) – Estimated Return: Several weeks (missing since Jan 5, 2026)
Devon Toews (D): Out (Upper Body) – Estimated Return: Before Olympics (Feb 2026, out since Jan 7, 2026)
MacKenzie Blackwood (G): Out (Lower Body) – Estimated Return: Week-to-week (out since Jan 7, 2026)
Logan O’Connor (RW): Out (Hip) – Estimated Return: Week or two+ (out since Dec 11, 2025)
Joel Kiviranta (LW): Out (Lower Body) – Estimated Return: Week-to-week (out since Jan 7, 2026)
Jacob MacDonald (D): Out (Hip) – Estimated Return: TBD (on IR)
Key Player Matchups
This game features elite talent clashes, with Toronto’s scoring depth challenging Colorado’s speed and defense. Auston Matthews’ recent hot streak (7 goals in last 10) meets Nathan MacKinnon’s dominance (leading COL with points), while Toronto’s power play (17.27%) tests Colorado’s top-ranked penalty kill (85.60%). Goaltending: Joseph Woll (.914 SV% recently) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (.927 SV% in last 5).
Auston Matthews (TOR C) vs. Nathan MacKinnon (COL C): Matthews’ sniping (7 goals, 5 assists in last 10) against MacKinnon’s playmaking and speed.
Mitch Marner (TOR RW) vs. Cale Makar (COL D): Marner’s creativity (top assists for TOR) tested by Makar’s offensive defense (leading D in points).
John Tavares (TOR C) vs. Mikko Rantanen (COL RW): Tavares’ leadership (16 goals, 24 assists) vs. Rantanen’s scoring touch.
William Nylander (TOR RW) vs. Devon Toews (COL D, if cleared): Nylander’s shot volume against Toews’ shutdown ability (out, so potential mismatch).
Morgan Rielly (TOR D) vs. Martin Necas (COL RW): Rielly’s puck-moving vs. Necas’ surge (20 goals, 34 assists).
Series History
The teams split their last 10 meetings 5-5, with the over hitting in 6 of 10. Toronto won the most recent (2-1 on Mar 19, 2025), but Colorado dominated the prior (7-4 on Mar 8, 2025). All-time, the series is competitive, but road teams have won 4 of the last 6. Games average 6.4 combined goals in recent matchups, favoring overs.
Betting Trends
Colorado opened as -255 favorites but settled around -258, reflecting their home invincibility (19-0-2). The total is 6.5, with slight lean to over (+100). Toronto is 4-1 SU in January but 1-5 SU in last 6 road games; Colorado is 10-0 SU at home recently. Over trends: 14/14 for TOR road vs. COL, 14/14 for COL home vs. TOR. Consensus: 97% on COL ML.
Game Odds
Toronto Maple Leafs 6.5
Colorado Avalanche – 265
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 11, 2026
