A Colorado Playoff Trifecta
Playoff games for the NBA, NHL, and NLL all start this month, and Denver is going to all three of them! The Nuggets, the Avs, and the Colorado Mammoth are each coming off incredible regular seasons with promising outlooks for an equally impressive postseason run. All three teams nabbed top four spots in their respective playoffs — and it’s a big deal. Need to catch up fast? We’ve got the quick and dirty so you can jump on the bandwagon.
The Denver Nuggets
Round 1
The first game of the Nuggets playoff season will be at Ball Arena against the #6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. It will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime. [NBA; 9News]
Know your numbers
The Nuggets are looking good. The team is coming off a hot 12-game win streak, heading into their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. They secured the #3 seed following a 54-28 regular season and are currently boasting the best offensive rating in the league. [NBA]
Who to watch
Dynamic duo Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. [Sports Illustrated]
A conversation starter
The Minnesota Timberwolves knocked out the Nuggets — defending champs and heavy favorites at the time — from the 2024 playoffs in a nail-biting seven-game series. Ready for redemption, the Nuggs won this year’s regular season series against the Timberwolves 3-1. [CBS]
The Colorado Avalanche
Round 1
The first game of the Avs playoff season will be at Ball Arena against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, April 19, at 1 p.m. [Hockey Now]
Know your numbers
The Avs are on fire. With a 55-16-11 regular season record, the Colorado Avs are entering the playoffs with the league’s top offense and defense after locking up the #1 seed in the Western Conference and tying a franchise record for most points in a single season. [Hockey News; NHL; Reuters]
Who to watch
Ice legends and 2022 Stanley Cup champs, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. [ESPN; TSN]
A conversation starter
While most championship teams rely heavily on a single starting goaltender, the Avs have indicated they will continue rotating their goalies — Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood — a strategy that worked well for them throughout the regular season. [Denver Sports]
The Colorado Mammoth
Round 1
Who the Mammoth will face in round 1 of the NLL playoffs will depend on the outcome of this Saturday’s season finale. What we do know, however, is that the game will take place on Saturday, April 25, at Ball Arena after the team secured the home-field advantage. [Mammoth]
Know your numbers
Colorado’s professional indoor lacrosse team secured a Top 4 spot in the NLL playoffs in a 13-11 victory over the Saskatchewan Rush last weekend. Riding a three-game win streak, the team is heading into a crucial final regular season game against the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Should they come out victorious, they’ll nab the #1 seed for the postseason. This will be the team’s first return to the playoffs in three years. [Mammoth]
Who to watch
The “new big three,” Andrew Kew, Will Malcom, and Jack Hannah. [NLL]
A conversation starter
This season has marked a notable turnaround for the franchise thanks to an entirely new offensive roster, infused with fresh young talent. [NLL]
