The Colorado Avalanche thought they deserved better during the 2025-26 season, but the playoffs proved you shouldn't put the cart before the horse when trying to predict what will happen in the NHL. For months, everyone said whichever team emerged from the Central Division gauntlet was going to win the Stanley Cup, but the Vegas Golden Knights were there to say, "Not so fast, my friends." 

The Avalanche swept through the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, before taking on a beaten down Minnesota Wild in the second round and disposing of them in five games. It looked like the fresh Colorado roster was going to have a field day with the Golden Knights, until Mitch Marner's squad demolished the Avalanche in four games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. 

It was a costly end to the Chris MacFarland era, as the team lost some depth forwards and will have to hope there are players ready to step in during the 2026-27 season. However, the Avalanche may have learned some lessons along the way that help them in their quest to return to the Stanley Cup Final. 

Hockey is a difficult sport to predict, so please gamble responsibly. Betting lines are from Fanduel Sportsbook and is subject to change.

It is getting harder to trust the Avalanche to advance to the Stanley Cup Final after all the times, other than the one championship, that they've come up short in the Nathan MacKinnon era. There are some reasons not to believe in this team, including the goaltending situation and some questionable depth. Still, a returning blueline and some other factors make them the deserving favorite to make it out of the West. 

The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are still going to be a tough test, but they shouldn't be any better than they were last season. Dallas is in the downturn of their contending window, while Minnesota's biggest question mark is whether Quinn Hughes will even be there past the trade deadline. If they are unable to get anything more from their center position and aren't looking like legitimate contenders, Bill Guerin may have to get a deal done before they lose him for nothing. 

The contenders in the Pacific Division are even more of a question mark. The Los Angeles Kings and Golden Knights could be regressing as well, while no one knows how the Mike Babcock era will shake out with the Edmonton Oilers. Meanwhile, the other remaining Western Conference contenders like the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Utah Mammoth will challenge Colorado. Still, they will need to go through some growing pains before being true contenders.

We might've said this last season too, but if not this season for the Avalanche, when?