Opinion: A healthy scratch is just what Ross Colton needed

Ross Colton a suprise scratch. We will get an update post-game. #GoAvsGo

— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) April 19, 2026 I can’t speculate as to what was on Colton’s mind, but he certainly didn’t appear excited or pleased despite the victory. Ross Colton has always come across as a fierce competitor, and being the healthy scratch for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs had to hurt. It could also help. Many pundits have already pointed out that teams often need early scratches later in playoff series and cup runs, but Ross Colton, in particular, will be required and can thrive in playoff hockey. So why was he scratched? Because the status quo won’t go, and the body of work that Colton put forth toward the end of the regular season doesn’t deserve the reward during the playoffs. Ross Colton is the first out this morning with EBUG Julien Hernandez. Colton eas a surprising healthy scratch yesterday in Game One. Avs #GoAvsGo@HockeyMtnHighCOpic.twitter.com/wVb09NiYPt

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan\_vogt) April 20, 2026 His price tag is meaningless this time of year. It’s all about icing the team you think gives you the best chance. Ross Colton will get his chance to prove that the version of the Avalanche with him in the lineup satisfies that requirement and then some.

**Slim Separation** – Two Gamers

Joel Kiviranta played well in game one, and his role is likely where Ross Colton would slot in if that changes. I’d argue the advantage you gain from going Kivi over Colton is relatively marginal, and based on that, I think round one is the perfect place to motivate Colton before unleashing him at the perfect moment. It’s pretty simple. Kiviranta is being rewarded for consistency and set-and-forget capabilities in the bottom six. Ross Colton most definitely offers more offensive upside and physicality. Still, this team is focused on limiting goals against, a focus echoed by Nathan MacKinnon in the postgame, who said, “We pride ourselves on defensive hockey, I know that might be odd to some people.” Moreover, with Ross Colton being held pointless for 12 straight games to end the year, and having just five points since January 10, what offensive upside is being held out of the lineup? So nothing to see, right? A guy who has been consistently okay is a safer bet than a player who may be more of a defensive liability, whose offensive upside is ice cold. We’ve heard a lot about playoff Kivi and his work in Dallas plays a large role in that narrative, but playoff Ross Colton is a thing, too. Rosco had 6 points (4 goals and 2 assists) during Tampa Bay’s repeat cup quest in 2021, including the eventual game and Stanley Cup clincher over the Montreal Canadiens (COVID YEAR NOT A TYPO) in game 5 as a rookie.