Five points out, five games left ... we all know what that means.
No Avalanche playoffs for the second year in a row and for the sixth time in eight years. Hardly a wonderful track record.
Frankly, even if the Avalanche had managed to come away with two points in St. Louis on Tuesday, their chances of catching Minnesota for the last playoff berth in the Western Conference were going to be pretty slim.
Now, following the 3-1 loss -- thanks to bad penalties, poor penalty killing, more turnovers and little offensive drive (11 shots on goal in the first two periods) -- the Avalanche will be hard-pressed to avoid elimination even if they win their remaining five games, and that isn't going to happen.
But, really, losing to the Wild at home last Saturday was the knockout punch. You just can't go 0-4-1 against a team and expect to beat it out for postseason play.
Would the presence of Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon have made a difference? Of course, as would not allowing two third-period goals 19 seconds apart to Philadelphia at home a week ago, or playing just one good period against the Wild at home in a must-win situation.
Meantime, the Wild knocked off Chicago 4-1 Tuesday. They won all five games against the Blackhawks and have a six-game winning streak.
The Avalanche have lost three of their past four heading into Friday's game with Washington at the Pepsi Center. The Capitals, with 113 points, have clinched the Presidents' Trophy.
"Unfortunately, now we're five points back and have to find a way … what we've been doing all year," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy told reporters. "We never give up, and there's no reason for us not to keep pushing and keep going. It's up to us to try to do some good things."