Avalanche prepare to stun the hockey world by repeating history
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman / Mile High Sticking
The Colorado Avalanche are preparing to send shockwaves through the hockey world, as they set their sights on repeating history and embarking on what could be a legendary run during the 2025-26 NHL season.
The current circumstances surrounding the Avalanche have positioned the team to potentially repeat history during the 2025-26 season.
Avalanche could repeat history next NHL season.
Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Sticking writes that the Avalanche find themselves with a unique opportunity to repeat history in the 2025-26 season. The last time the Avs hoisted the Stanley Cup, they were fuelled by the sting of a crushing second-round defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights the year prior, a storyline that feels all too familiar once again.
"All sorts of questions swirled around the club's ability to get past the second round. Uncertainty clouded the team, leading pundits to declare the Avalanche as one of those teams that could not get the job done.
Then, the breakthrough came in the 2021-22 season. The Avs landed a second-straight division title and set up a first-round date with the Nashville Predators. They dispatched the Preds in a sweep, to set up a second-round matchup with the St. Louis Blues." -Quixtan
Then, the breakthrough came in the 2021-22 season. The Avs landed a second-straight division title and set up a first-round date with the Nashville Predators. They dispatched the Preds in a sweep, to set up a second-round matchup with the St. Louis Blues." -Quixtan
This time, there was no heartbreaking second-round collapse. The Avalanche dispatched the Blues in six games before absolutely dismantling the Edmonton Oilers in a dominant four-game sweep in the Western Conference Final.
That surge propelled Colorado into the Stanley Cup Final against none other than the Tampa Bay Lightning, a battle-tested squad fresh off back-to-back championships. With a veteran core intent on cementing a dynasty, the Lightning stood as the final obstacle in the Avs' quest for glory.
But that so-called dynasty met its match in Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Cale Makar. Colorado's relentless speed and star power overwhelmed Tampa Bay, and in six hard-fought games, the Avalanche captured their third Stanley Cup in franchise history.
"In 2025-26, the stage is set for the Avalanche to repeat history. A Florida-based team is coming off three-straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances and back-to-back championships. That Florida-based team, the Panthers, is looking to establish a dynasty.
The parallels between the Lightning and Panthers is interesting. The Lightning made a name for themselves during the bubble playoffs in 2020 and 2021. They fudged the salary cap with LTIR to earn their second Cup in 2021." -Quixtan
The parallels between the Lightning and Panthers is interesting. The Lightning made a name for themselves during the bubble playoffs in 2020 and 2021. They fudged the salary cap with LTIR to earn their second Cup in 2021." -Quixtan
The Panthers survived the full grind of an 82-game season to secure their championship, but their path wasn't without controversy. Strategic use of LTIR gave them an edge on the way to their second Cup, and now the chatter has shifted toward whether Florida is building a dynasty of its own.
But with reloaded roster and renewed determination, the Avalanche look ready to crash Florida's bid for a three-peat and reclaim their place at the top of the NHL.
Of course, the Panthers must navigate a stacked Atlantic Division and a tough Eastern Conference. The Avalanche face similar challenges out west.
"Sure, the Panthers have to get through a loaded Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. So do the Avs. More than likely, the road to the Stanley Cup Final will take the Avalanche through Edmonton. That could mean the Avalanche will need to dispatch a battle-tested Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the war path for a Cup of their own." -Quixtan
Can the Avalanche overcome all these formidable challengers on their path?
The NHL season is a relentless grind, full of highs and lows, but with this core of elite talent, Colorado has the depth, skill, and resilience to mount another serious Cup run.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 15 | 23 ANSWERS Avalanche prepare to stun the hockey world by repeating history Do you think the Avalanche have a team to dethrone the Panthers? | ||
| yes | 18 | 78.3 % |
| no | 5 | 21.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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