The Colorado Avalanche (34-6-9) travel to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (24-18-9) in a highly anticipated inter-conference matchup. The Avalanche, boasting one of the league’s top records and sitting first in the Central Division, aim to snap a recent skid against a Maple Leafs team that’s struggling with form and injuries. This game pits offensive firepower against defensive resilience, with potential weather impacts adding an extra layer of intrigue. Below is a comprehensive breakdown.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This state-of-the-art venue, home to the Maple Leafs, has a capacity of approximately 18,800 for hockey games and is known for its electric atmosphere during high-stakes matchups.
Note: A severe winter storm warning is in effect for Toronto, with forecasts calling for up to 30 cm (about 12 inches) of snow. This could potentially lead to a postponement, though no official announcement has been made as of January 24. The last weather-related postponement for a Leafs home game was in 2014 due to a similar storm.
Puck drop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. PT)
TV/Streaming: NHL Network; live stream available on Fubo and other services.
espn.com +2
This matinee start time is part of the NHL’s “Next Gen Game” initiative, aimed at engaging younger fans.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences that could significantly impact the game.
Colorado Avalanche:
Gabriel Landeskog (LW): Upper-body injury; expected to be out until at least February 4. He sustained the injury during a recent road trip and has been ruled out for the Olympics preliminarily, though it’s not confirmed.
Devon Toews (D): Upper-body injury; day-to-day, expected return January 25. He missed the last two games but could suit up if cleared.
Ross Colton (C): Lower-body injury; day-to-day, expected return January 25. Injured in a recent overtime loss, but optimism remains for his participation.
Valeri Nichushkin (RW): Recently returned from an upper-body injury sustained in a car accident; expected to play.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
William Nylander (RW): Groin injury; on injured reserve, expected return January 25. He aggravated a prior groin issue on January 15 and has missed four games but resumed skating recently.
Dakota Mermis (D): Lower-body injury; on injured reserve, expected return January 25. Part of ongoing blue-line issues for Toronto.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D): Lower-body injury; will not return for recent games, status uncertain for January 25.
Anthony Stolarz (G): Upper-body injury; recently returned and started against Vegas on January 23.
Joseph Woll (G): Expected to start vs. Avalanche.
The Leafs have four players on the injury watch, exacerbating their defensive woes, while the Avalanche’s depth could be tested without Landeskog.
Key
Player Matchups
This game features star-studded battles across the ice:
Nathan MacKinnon (COL) vs. Auston Matthews (TOR): Two elite centers. MacKinnon leads the league in points, but Matthews’ goal-scoring prowess at home could exploit Colorado’s recent defensive lapses.
Cale Makar (COL) vs. Mitch Marner (TOR): Makar, a Norris Trophy contender, will need to contain Marner’s playmaking, especially with Toronto’s power play ranking in the top 10.
Mikko Rantanen (COL) vs. Morgan Rielly (TOR): Rantanen’s size and shot against Rielly’s puck-moving ability; watch for odd-man rushes.
Goaltending: Alexandar Georgiev (COL) vs. Joseph Woll (TOR): Georgiev has been solid but allowed 7 goals in the last game; Woll returns to form after injuries. Key to watch: If Nylander plays, his speed could target Toews if he’s limited.
Recent Team Forms
Colorado Avalanche (Last 5 Games): 2-2-1
Jan 23 vs. PHI: L 3-7 (Slumping defense allowed a season-high goals)
Jan 21 vs. ANA: L 1-2 (SO) (Tight defensive battle, but offense stalled)
Jan 19 vs. WSH: W 5-2 (Strong bounce-back with balanced scoring)
Jan 12 vs. TOR: L 3-4 (OT) (Late equalizer forced OT, but fell short)
Jan 4 vs. FLA: L 1-2 (Defensive game, Panthers edged it)
The Avs are on a mini-slump, dropping three of their last four, with defensive issues prominent (allowing 4+ goals in losses).
Toronto Maple Leafs (Last 5 Games): 1-3-1 (Entering on a 3-game losing streak)
Jan 23 vs. VGK: L 3-6 (Marner’s return emotional but defense collapsed)
Jan 21 vs. DET: L 1-2 (Low-scoring affair, offense stifled)
Jan 17: L (Details limited, part of streak)
Jan 15 vs. VGK: L (Nylander injured in this game)
Jan 8: W (One win in last five, per trends)
The Leafs have a 5-3-2 record in their last 10 but are -2 in goal differential, with injuries hitting hard.
Series History
In 93 all-time meetings (including Quebec Nordiques era), the Avalanche hold a 47-37-9 edge over the Maple Leafs.
Recent history favors Toronto slightly: The Leafs won the last matchup on January 12, 2026, 4-3 in OT at Colorado.
Over the last 10 games, it’s split 5-5, but Colorado has won 3 of the last 5 in Toronto. Toronto’s longest win streak vs. Colorado is 6 games (1988-1990).
Betting Trends
Over has hit in 6 of Colorado’s last 8 vs. teams with losing records and 3 of last 5 head-to-head.
Avalanche are 51-21 in last 72 as road favorites (-151 to -200); Leafs are 4-6 in last 10 home games. Colorado games go over 6.5 in 55% of matchups this season.
Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche – 180
Toronto Maple Leafs 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 24, 2026
