Lost amid the trade deadline buzz are the Colorado Avalanche not looking as dominant lately and the Dallas Stars taking over the top spot in the NHL power rankings.

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 at Ball Arena. Gavin Brindley and Cale Makar both snapped goal-scoring droughts in the home win.

Even though Cale Makar is widely considered the best defenseman in the NHL, he’s catching a lot of flak for his decision to drift back in 3-on-3 overtime, the sequence in which Team Canada lost the gold medal.

Gavin Brindley's third-period tally was the game-winner as the Avalanche defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 at Ball Arena on Saturday. Cale Makar scored twice and Martin Necas posted two assists while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced.

Connor Bedard scored for Chicago, which has lost eight of nine and continues to struggle to score.

Read full article: Air quality concerns grow as wildfire smoke drifts into Metro Detroit The Royal Oak community is rallying around the family of Alex Habib who was killed in a police chase early Saturday morning that began in Roseville and ended in Warren.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Anaheim Ducks NHL game from March 3, 2026 on ESPN.