The playoff push is on for the Avalanche and it’s a tight race. Twenty games remain on the schedule going into Thursday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Hockey reference has their playoff probability at 96% sitting at 74 points.

Could Casey Mittelstadt be an answer in the middle six San Jose Sharks as they rebuild their NHL roster? Author: ksdk.com

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The Colorado Avalanche host the San Jose Sharks after Artturi Lehkonen's two-goal game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Avalanche's 4-1 win.

Timo Meier will play in his 600th NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 26. Meier began his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks. He was selected ninth overall in the 2015 draft and spent seven seasons with San Jose from 2016-17 until halfway through the 2022-23 season.

The Colorado Avalanche host the San Jose Sharks after Artturi Lehkonen's two-goal game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Avalanche's 4-1 win.

Eklund leads the Sharks in points (46) and assists (33) while being third in goals (13). Toffoli leads the Sharks in goals (24) and third in points (43). Celebrini is second on the Sharks in points (45) and goals (19) while being tied for second in assists (26).

If MacKinnon scores, there is a high-probability that Martin Necas is involved, given that they skate together on both the first line and first power play unit. Necas has recorded an assist on each of MacKinnon’s past two goals.

The San Jose Sharks are on the road to take on the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night. Below we will continue our NHL odds series by handing out a Sharks-Avalanche prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

The Colorado Avalanche came into the season with championship aspirations and Alexandar Georgiev as their top goaltender. Two months in, Colorado was scuffling and made bold moves to reshape its goaltending tandem.

Colorado’s goaltending has been solid with Alexandar Georgiev, and their defense, anchored by Makar and Devon Toews, makes them a well-rounded team. The Avs have a top-tier power play that could take advantage of San Jose’s weak penalty kill.

Celebrini scored once Tuesday, a third period goal assisted by Shakir Mukhamadullin and Will Smith (a sentence Sharks fans would like to hear for years to come) but could have scored one or two more if not for some bad luck in the first period.