Make no mistake. Devon Toews was excited Wednesday about being named to Team Canada for February’s Olympic Games in Italy.

He just has a few other things on his mind.

“My wife’s due in February, so that’s something that’s way more important to me than making an Olympic team,” Toews said, minutes after being named to the roster. “Being there for that is something that’s on my mind more so than showing up for my country. I’ll be there when that time comes, but right now, I’m there for my wife.”

It’s a unique situation, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Toews, 31, to represent his country at the Olympics. No one knows if he’ll have this chance in four years when the NHL returns to the Olympics.

But being there for the birth of your child isn’t an everyday occurrence, either. An Avalanche spokesman confirmed Toews’ wife has a due date of Feb. 2, so if the baby is a little late, Dad might be a little late to join Team Canada.

If that situation does arise, Toews has made up his mind on what he’ll do.

“If my baby hasn’t arrived, I’m staying here. That’s 100% what I’ll do,” Toews said. “I’m not leaving until that baby’s here and everybody’s home safe. I think (my wife’s) excited, I think she’s excited for me to have this opportunity. It doesn’t come every day, so she’s excited for that, but I’ll be there for that baby, for sure.”

Toews’ stance doesn’t surprise the people that know him well.

“Not only is he a great hockey player, but he’s probably even a better person,” Toews’ Quinnipiac University coach Rand Pecknold told The Denver Gazette this year.

Jared Bednar, who has had Toews on his team since 2020, agreed.

“We know his character, right?” Bednar. “He’s (an) all-in team guy, and his No. 1 team is his family.”

Still, there’s an excitement from Toews about joining fellow teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in Italy.

“It’s pretty cool,” Toews said. “(The 2010 Olympics at) Vancouver is like my biggest moment of watching hockey. I’m not a big hockey knowledge nerd guy, but that’s the one moment that I remember growing up, just being from that area. Having an opportunity to be a part of a moment like that is something that I’ll cherish, for sure.”

It’s a mild surprise Toews was the only other member of the Avalanche named to Team Canada on Wednesday. Neither Mackenzie Blackwood nor Scott Wedgewood made the cut. Canada rolled with Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson and former Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper in net.

Wedgewood was not made available to speak Wednesday but Blackwood was. Blackwood said he has “never talked to” Team Canada officials.

As for his emotions on not being named?

“Maybe a little disappointment, but really, I don’t know, it was kind of 50/50 anyways,” Blackwood said.

The NHL will pause the regular season from Feb. 6-23 for players to participate in the Olympics. Rosters for the remaining countries will be announced soon, with Team USA releasing the rest of its roster Friday.

Avalanche 6, Blues 1

What happened: The Avalanche scored the fastest four goals in franchise history and cruised to their 30th win of the season.

What went right: Everything. Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals early, the 400th and 401st of his NHL career, and Valeri Nichushkin picked up a hat trick, finally being rewarded for his strong play of late. Through 34 minutes, the Blues had registered just five shots on goal. This one was not close.

What went wrong: Colorado failed to record the shutout, which will bother everyone in the locker room who wanted to make sure their goaltender ended the night with zero goals against.

Avalanche goal scorers: Nichushkin (9,10,11), MacKinnon (33,34), Nelson (16)

Blues goal scorers: Dvorsky (6)

Between the pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood only faced 13 shots but was actually forced to make a handful of incredible saves. He finished with 12 saves.

What’s next: The Avalanche will head out on the road for three games, starting in Carolina on Saturday at 5 p.m.