Champs Avs at peak form.

Colorado Avalanche Peaking for Playoff Season

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) looks back at the net as he scores a goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for another shot at the Stanley Cup championship, with a strong finish to their regular season putting them in good stead for the playoffs.

Despite a challenging and talented field of Western Conference opponents, the Avalanche team is optimistic about their chances, with defenseman Bowen Byram stating, “Once you taste it once, it’s something you want again.”

The Avalanche ended their regular season with a 4-3 win against the Nashville Predators, clinching their third consecutive Central Division title and earning a first-round matchup against the Seattle Kraken. The impressive end to the season saw the team go 31-7-4 over the last three months, with a franchise-record 29 wins on the road.

In spite of injuries that led to a record-breaking number of players utilized during the season, the Avalanche still boasts star power with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen up front, reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar on the back end, and savvy offseason acquisition Alexandar Georgiev in net.

Other matchups in the first round of playoffs include:

Vegas vs. Winnipeg

The top-seeded team in the Western Conference and Pacific Division champion Golden Knights will host the wild-card Jets for Game 1 on Tuesday night. Vegas finished the regular season with a franchise-record 111 points led by Jack Eichel, and are hopeful that captain Mark Stone will return from a back injury that has kept him out of the lineup for three months. The Jets, meanwhile, will be looking for an upset with coach Rick Bowness looking to winger Kyle Connor and goalie Connor Hellebuyck to lead the charge.

Edmonton vs. Los Angeles

The Oilers and Kings will face off in the first round for the second straight year starting Monday night in Edmonton. Connor McDavid will lead the charge for Edmonton, with his impressive 64 goals and 153 points leading the league. The MVP frontrunner is keen to do more this postseason after being swept by Colorado in the Western Conference finals last season. Los Angeles will be looking to Anze Kopitar, who had a 74-point season at 35 years old, to lead the charge.

Dallas vs. Minnesota

The Stars and Wild will meet in Dallas for Game 1 on Monday night after finishing second and third in the Central Division. Under the guidance of first-year coach Peter DeBoer, Jason Robertson scored over 40 goals for the second straight season, and 33-year-old winger Jamie Benn had a standout 78-point season. Minnesota hopes to snap a six-year skid of opening-round exits with goalies Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson rotating in net.

Overall, the playoffs promise a high-octane and competitive season, with top teams all vying for the championship title.

Source