Best in Franchise History: 2021-22 Avalanche’s Remarkable Achievement

After years of near misses and playoff disappointment, The Avalanche's victory fulfilled its championship aspirations in a season that promised much through a string of fine performances. After briefly looking at the Colorado Avalanche's form since 2021/22, we'll delve into the Colorado Avalanche's momentous Stanley Cup-winning campaign in more detail.

The Avalanche Since 2021/22

The Avalanche has performed well since its record-breaking season. A 51-24-7 record in 2022/23 promised another top season before the Denver franchise suffered a surprise seven-game turnaround against the Seattle Kraken in playoff round one.

In the current year, Colorado sits fairly well-positioned to win the Stanley Cup, third in the Western Conference Central Division but currently 3-2 down to Dallas in the playoffs. Despite this, the Colorado Avalanche is well favored according to the odds offered by the best sportsbooks from this selection, with odds of around +1000, although the Stars, Oilers, and Panthers are all roughly equal with odds of +300.

Despite the current NHL progress and the short odds on offer, it's going to take some effort for the popular Denver-based team to emulate its 2022 Stanley Cup victory - one that will live in the memories of sports bettors and Avalanche fans for years to come.

2021/22 Regular Season Dominance

The Denver-based Avalanche franchised was a dominant force throughout the 2021/22 regular season, clinching the top spot in the Western Conference Central Division and missing the coveted Presidents' Trophy, awarded to the team with the best NHL record in the pre-playoff season, by three points to the Florida Panthers.

A formidable lineup including star players Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, a combination of offensive firepower and defensive prowess saw the Colorado Avalanche consistently outclassing opponents with displays of speed and skill.

The 2021/22 regular season returned to its full 82-game schedule for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with The Avalanche adapting better than others to the increased fixture list by setting new franchise benchmarks in winning 56 of their 82 games and accumulating 119 points over the regular season.

As the Western Conference Central Division's top seed, The Avalanche drew another Central Division team, wild card qualifiers the Nashville Predators, in the first round of the playoffs.

2021/22 Playoff Push

Round one

As the top seed, the Colorado Avalanche faced high expectations and immense pressure to deliver on its regular season promise and overall dominance. In the Stanley Cup first-round playoff against The Predators, the Denver franchise didn't disappoint, needing a minimum of four games to see off the Nashville franchise in a dominant display of attacking hockey from the first game.

The Avalanche moved on to round two without mishap, winning the best-of-seven tie 4-0 and scoring 21 goals to The Predators' nine in doing so.

Round two

The second round pitted the favorites against the St. Louis Blues. There would be no repeat of The Blues' upset round one victory over the Minnesota Wild, as the Colorado Avalanche continued to impress.

Leading 3-2 after an uncharacteristic lapse in form in game two and a tight single-goal defeat in game five, The Avalanche ensured a deciding seventh game wouldn't be needed, displaying fortitude and resilience in winning game six 3-2 to advance to the Conference Finals.

Conference Finals

As the pressure mounted, so did the Colorado Avalanche's resolve to reach its first Stanley Cup Final since last winning the trophy in 2001. The Conference Finals further enhanced the franchise's pedigree, while proving a bridge too far for the opposition, the Edmonton Oilers. Once again, the attack-minded gameplan of head coach Jared Bednar worked a treat.

Although game four was a close affair, The Avalanches displayed superiority throughout the Finals, winning 4-0 and outscoring the luckless Oilers 22-13 in the process. The Colorado Avalanches would meet the formidable Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2022 Stanley Cup.

2022 Stanley Cup Finals and Victory

The Lightning was bidding to become the first team to win three consecutive Stanley Cup titles since the New York Islanders won four in a row between 1980 and 1983. The Colorado Avalanche had other ideas, though, and an intense six-game battle ensued. Despite facing an experienced and in-form opponent, the Colorado franchise rallied behind its leaders to deliver a series of impressive performances.

Ultimately, the Avalanche emerged triumphant, beating The Lightning 4-2 to capture the Stanley Cup for a third time and etch its name in Denver hockey history. Supporters and writers describe the 2022 winners as the best in the franchise's 29-year history, with the incredible 2021/22 season bound to be prominent when future fathers and grandfathers tell their offspring about the great Colorado teams of the past.

 

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