The Colorado Avalanche’s playoff matchup with the Winnipeg Jets is set. And for the first time since the 2020 bubble in Edmonton, the Avs will be starting the postseason away from Ball Arena. Related Articles Colorado Avalanche | Nathan MacKinnon breaks Avalanche single-season record for points in regular-season finale Colorado Avalanche | Two inexperienced members of Avalanche defense corps excited for postseason opportunity Colorado Avalanche | As the Stanley Cup Playoffs beckon, Zach Parise is ready for his last dance Colorado Avalanche | Jets edge Kraken to secure home ice vs. Avalanc ..read more

Nathan MacKinnon’s season for the ages has officially set a new standard for the Colorado Avalanche franchise. MacKinnon had a pair of assists Thursday night in Game No. 82 at Ball Arena to help the Avs cruise past the undermanned Edmonton Oilers in a 5-1 win. He finished the season with 51 goals and 140 points. That is one more than Peter Stastny’s 139 points during the 1981-82 season, when the franchise played in Quebec City. The win is also No. 50 on the season for the Avs. Colorado finished the season with 107 points (50-25-7), good for eighth place in the NHL standings but third in the Ce ..read more

By JON GAMBRELL (Associated Press) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country. It remained unclear if the country was under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israel’s military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have remained high in the days since the Saturday assault on Israel ..read more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN (AP Sports Writer) THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Nelly Korda, who is looking to tie an LPGA Tour record with her fifth straight win, shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday in the opening round of the Chevron Championship, leaving her two shots behind leader Lauren Coughlin in the year’s first major. Coughlin shot a bogey-free 66 in windy conditions at Carlton Woods, which is hosting the event for the second time. The top-ranked Korda is seeking her second major after winning the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021. She could join Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the onl ..read more

A 46-year-old Arapahoe County man accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife the day before their divorce was finalized was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and using a stun gun following a jury trial Thursday. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Aurora dentist accused of fatally poisoning wife faces new charges of asking daughter to help cover up crime Crime and Public Safety | Glendale police officers cited for tossing evidence in several criminal cases Crime and Public Safety | Denver police officer arrested on domestic violence charges in Aurora Cri ..read more

BOULDER — For a cat with a private jet, Deion Sanders sure seems to lose a lot of his luggage. “We’re good. We’re good,” the CU Buffs’ second-year football coach said during a news conference Thursday, roughly a week ahead of the program’s April 27 spring game. “I trust our recruiting team. I trust the coaches. And please have some faith in me.” More faith than some of his players, at any rate. The transfer portal for FBS players opened Tuesday. According to On3.com, as of early Thursday afternoon, 15 Buffs had jumped into the portal since April 1. The company line, one Coach Prime doubled dow ..read more

After Broncos general manager George Paton fielded nearly a dozen questions about the quarterback position during the team’s pre-draft news conference Thursday afternoon, he was asked about other areas of need. Throughout the draft process, many experts have had Denver drafting an edge rusher or cornerback with the 12th pick. And though Paton is confident in the depth at both positions, he didn’t shy away from the possibility of adding to either spot. “You are always looking at those types of positions,” Paton said. “If someone falls in your lap, you’re going to take them.” It’s hard to find q ..read more

U.S. 50 is closed between Montrose and Gunnison after state and federal transportation officials found cracking on a bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir, causing detours of up to seven hours. The Colorado Department of Transportation closed U.S. 50 between the intersection with Colo. 92 and mile point 138 on Thursday afternoon based on advice from the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts, agency officials said in a news release. Related Articles Transportation | I-70 westbound reopens near Copper Mountain after closing due to safety concerns Transportation | U.S ..read more

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A judge has denied a request by the owner of Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth for the colt to run in next month’s 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Mitch Perry declined Thursday to grant a temporary injunction to Zedan Racing Stables, which had argued that the ban of Baffert was “illegal.” Muth won the Arkansas Derby on March 30 but is ineligible to receive the 100 points that would have put him in the Run for the Roses because of Baffert’s suspension. ZRS sued Churchill Downs days later. In his ruling, Perry expressed ..read more

They gave us what we wanted: The Nuggets back on stage with Maury Povich and a manila envelope. In the case of the 64-year-old Los Angeles Lakers, you are the father. Denver welcomes the Lakers back to Ball Arena on Saturday as family. Cup your ears from Trinidad to Windsor and you can still hear the “Who’s your daddy?” chant that reverberated throughout Ball Arena on Ring Night back in October. This came mere months after the Nuggets broomed the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, exorcising a few playoff demons in the process. It was the exclamation point in a series of wows for the Nug ..read more