In NHL history, few teams have managed to wield the type of magic that the Colorado Avalanche have at this point in the 2025-26 season. The most recent team to enjoy such success was the 2022-23 President’s Trophy winners - the Boston Bruins (65-12-5) - who had 135 points on the season only to lose in the first round of the playoffs to a hungry Florida Panthers. Colorado is on pace to break that remarkable record and are the heavy favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year.
The Avalanche are performing exceptionally because of several factors, such as goal differential, a strong penalty kill, solid goaltending, and depth throughout their lines. Their scoring surplus (+72) is led by superstars like Nathan Mackinnon (who is having an MVP year), Cale Makar, Martin Necas, and secondary point producers in Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog, and Artturi Lehkonen.
It can be argued that Nathan Mackinnon is the best player in the world right now and the Canadian superstar has scored 74 points in 41 games this season. Cale Makar won his second Norris trophy last season and is on pace to repeat with 47 points in 41 games - some are calling him the best transitional defender of all time. Martin Necas has great chemistry with Mackinnon and is having an all-star season after the blockbuster trade with Carolina last year brought him to Colorado.
Landeskog’s miraculous return last year has had a positive effect on team performance, and his veteran experience will be valuable come April. Nichushkin and Lehkonen spearhead the second line with strong two-way play and provide essential secondary scoring for Colorado.
Special teams are crucial for success and the Avalanche lead the league on the PK with 85.6%. Their aggressive style stifles any offense on the power play, as players like Jack Drury, Brock Nelson, and Cale Makar defend menacingly a man down.
Colorado’s goaltending has been phenomenal due to the terrific tandem in Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood. Wedgewood is leading the league with 18 wins and boasts a save percentage of .918% and 2.7 GAA. Blackwood has a staggering 2.07 GAA in 16 games and the duo’s consistency will boost Colorado’s performance in the post-season.
Colorado’s depth can be attributed to management identifying and recruiting undervalued players from other teams for bigger roles with the club. Also, Colorado’s analytics department uses data to assess opponent tendencies, forechecking patterns, and other key stats - enforcing their mode of play on the ice.
The second-place Dallas Stars are eleven points behind the league-leading Avalanche and Colorado also has a game in hand. The 2021-22 Stanley Cup Champions are on pace to win the President’s trophy this season and lock-in home ice advantage in the playoffs. Should Colorado sustain their dominant play in the playoffs, they will win their second cup in four years.