Stl needs 1 more win and 1 more LA loss to clench. After that, they can't catch anyone ahead of them, so they'll be resting guys for Game 1, and they finish with B2B with Minny. That's not good for Colorado.
Minny gets B2B vs last place Anaheim, 3 days off, and then B2B vs a Stl. team that, like I said, will likely be resting guys and not really giving a shit if they win either of those. Again, not good for Colorado.
LA is gonna give the Avs all they can handle as long as they're still alive. They've won 4 of their last 6, albeit vs. Anaheim and Arizona.
Avs really put themselves behind the 8-ball in the last week. You can pretty much forget about 1st place right now, unless Vegas loses 2 out of their last 4... yeah, probably not happening, although Stl. will be desperate for at least 1 win (possibly 2 if LA can beat Colorado in their 1st game), and the Avs need to beat them for any chance at 1st place.
Basically, they gotta win out just to keep home ice, and hope Minny loses a game. Plus, the Avs have two sets of B2B, with JoJo likely starting 2 of those games, and a game vs. Vegas left. They could easily finish 5-7 to end the year and flop down 3rd place, giving Minny home ice. Further, it sounds like Game 1 would be on the 16th, giving the Avs just 2 days rest after the regular season ends.
Avs desperately need to get some guys back. Especially, G, Bo, Saad, EJ, LOC, and/or Calvert. Of those 5, only Saad and G sound like they have any chance to be back for Game 1.