The NHL is entering a critical week with the upcoming trade deadline on Friday. Six games are scheduled on deadline day, which is surprising given the potential player movements. As teams balance their playoff aspirations and potential trades, several key players are in the spotlight.

The Boston Bruins, currently on the playoff bubble, might consider trading Brad Marchand, especially after his recent upper-body injury. Meanwhile, David Pastrnak is on fire with a remarkable 17-game point streak. The Anaheim Ducks will rely on Lukas Dostal in net, as John Gibson's future remains uncertain amidst trade rumors.

For the Colorado Avalanche, Jonathan Drouin's recent contributions and Valeri Nichushkin's return from injury provide a silver lining. The New York Rangers are feeling the pressure, with Adam Fox on IR, and are hoping to make a significant move as they look for a turnaround.

St. Louis' Brayden Schenn is a player to watch, as he might be on the move, while Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy is aiming to maintain his impressive form. With many teams playing multiple games this week, fatigue and performance will be crucial as the deadline approaches.

The Colorado Avalanche are poised for a significant boost with Valeri Nichushkin returning to the lineup after a long absence due to injury and a suspension. His presence is expected to strengthen both the second line and the power-play unit, where his size and skill will be invaluable. This season, the Avs have demonstrated a strong correlation between Nichushkin's presence and their performance, holding a record of 14-7 when he plays compared to 19-17-2 without him.

Despite the challenges posed by various injuries, Nichushkin's return is seen as a pivotal moment for the Avalanche. Teammates like Jonathan Drouin have emphasized his impact on special teams and even-strength play, highlighting his dual-threat capability. As the Avalanche navigate the rest of the season, maintaining Nichushkin's health will be critical to their playoff aspirations.

Jonathan Drouin led the Colorado Avalanche to a dominant 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues with a standout performance, scoring two goals and assisting on another. The Avalanche took control early with a four-goal first period, including goals from Martin Necas and Cale Makar, the latter marking his third consecutive game with a goal. Mackenzie Blackwood earned his first shutout with Colorado, making 19 saves, while Joel Hofer of the Blues faced 36 shots, managing 31 saves but unable to prevent the scoring barrage. The Blues' recent struggles continued, marking their fourth consecutive loss and raising concerns over their offensive output.

Necas, acquired in the trade involving Mikko Rantanen, made his mark by scoring his first goal with Colorado. Despite a promising start, the Blues failed to capitalize on a short-handed opportunity that could have shifted momentum. Colorado's power play found its rhythm after a prolonged slump, successfully converting three times in the last sixteen games.

The Colorado Avalanche bounced back impressively from a recent defeat by crushing the St. Louis Blues 5-0 at Ball Arena. Coach Jared Bednar had warned that the team needed to respond quickly to stay in playoff contention, and his players delivered their best period of the season, scoring four goals in the first 20 minutes. Jonathan Drouin was particularly standout, netting two goals, while Martin Necas scored his first as an Avalanche player. Mackenzie Blackwood secured a solid performance with 19 saves, marking a return to form after a rough patch.

The Avalanche's early dominance was characterized by aggressive play and effective power plays, ultimately leading them to a comfortable victory. This win puts Colorado just five points behind the Dallas Stars in the Central Division, while also keeping them four points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks, who are nipping at their heels for a playoff spot.