The Colorado Avalanche have transformed their once-struggling power play into one of the league’s most dangerous weapons just in time for the postseason push.
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche have looked every bit like the NHL’s top team this season—but for over five months, their power play threatened to undermine it all.
A unit that consistently stalled momentum and left goals on the table has now flipped the script entirely. Since the Olympic break, Colorado hasn’t just improved with the man advantage—they’ve turned it into a driving force behind their dominance.
A Noticeable Statistical Shift
The turnaround is evident in the numbers. In March, the Avalanche lead the league with 15 power-play goals, operating at an impressive 31.3% efficiency—good for third-best over that span. Since the Olympic break, they’ve recorded 16 goals with the man advantage while converting at a 27.6% clip, fifth in the NHL during that stretch.
Prior to the break, Colorado ranked last in the league with a 15.1% conversion rate, managing just 27 power-play goals across 55 games. Around the league, the sentiment was clear: unless something changed, Colorado risked an early exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Some criticism even extended to the coaching staff, with calls for Dave Hakstol to be dismissed and speculation that Jared Bednar could find himself on the hot seat.
Now, at their current pace, the Avalanche are positioned to surpass their pre-Olympic break power-play goal total in significantly fewer games.
Personnel and Tactical Adjustments
A key catalyst in the turnaround has been the addition of Nazem Kadri at the March 6 trade deadline. Kadri has made an immediate impact, leading the team with three power-play goals since joining the lineup, including a two-goal performance in the recent 9–2 rout of the Calgary Flames. His presence has added versatility and allowed the coaching staff to experiment with new configurations.
One of the most notable adjustments has been the repositioning of Nathan MacKinnon. Rather than operating from the perimeter, MacKinnon has been deployed lower in the zone, facilitating play from along the goal line. This shift has opened up passing lanes and created more dynamic puck movement, particularly in feeding options to the bumper and weak-side attackers.
Nathan MacKinnon has talked about not exactly being a fan of the experimentation side of things, but it appears to be working in his favor. With Martin Nečas now working the faceoff circle and players like Brock Nelson and Kadri occupying high-danger areas near the crease, the Avalanche have created a more layered and unpredictable attack. MacKinnon’s ability to draw defensive attention down low has been especially effective, often forcing penalty killers to collapse and freeing up secondary opportunities.
Following Monday’s win, The Hockey News asked Bednar what has driven the turnaround.
“Getting them all on the same page with a plan, which we (tried) multiple times before,” he stated. “It’s ultimately buy-in, execution; I think there’s a list of probably eight or 10 things there. If you make them 5% better, it affects your power play in a big way.”
Bednar added that the Olympic break provided a much-needed reset, helping the group move past earlier frustrations.
“Cleaned the slate. Started to chip in some goals right away, and a lot of it is mindset and mentality from the guys on the ice. It’s just ownership is what it is. It’s taking accountability for what you’re trying to do and holding it to a high standard.”
Bigger Picture
Colorado’s challenge now lies in maintaining this level of execution. The emphasis on puck movement through the lower zone has generated better spacing and more high-danger chances, and continuing to lean into that structure should keep the unit productive.
There’s also room for growth beyond the top unit. With talent such as Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog, and Artturi Lehkonen available, the second unit has the potential to mirror many of the same principles and provide additional scoring depth.
The power play has lingered as a central storyline for Colorado since their playoff exit at the hands of the Dallas Stars last season. If the Avalanche intend to make a deep postseason run, sustained improvement with the man advantage isn’t optional—it’s essential. Operating below the 20% threshold is unlikely to be enough in a playoff environment where special teams can often swing an entire series.
For now, though, the signs are encouraging. The Avalanche haven’t just improved their power play—they’ve redefined it.
