A sudden surge is sweeping through the Avalanche, and it's not what you expect
Something has shifted lately for the Colorado Avalanche, with Jonathan Drouin and Josh Manson setting a steadier tone as veteran players drive a playoff push.
The wins have not felt flashy, but they have felt controlled, which matters in December hockey.
Colorado has leaned on experience during a heavy schedule, trusting older legs and calmer reads.
Avalanche veterans stabilizing Colorado's playoff rhythm.
A recent article by Hockey Buzz highlights that Brent Burns has proven to be an incredible addition to the Avalanche blue line this season, bringing veteran leadership, poise, and a dynamic presence that has transformed their defensive game.
Brock Nelson has looked far more assertive with the puck over the past two weeks. The 34 year old center has been attacking off the wall, cutting inside defenders, and turning possession into sustained zone time.
Josh Manson's impact shows up differently, but it has been just as important. The 34 year old defenseman has simplified his game, closing gaps early and moving pucks north without hesitation.
Those details help the Avalanche manage games instead of chasing them. The neutral zone has tightened, breakouts look cleaner, and defensive shifts are ending with controlled exits rather than glass outs.
Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin also fit the veteran theme, even if neither feels old. Both forwards have raised their pace, winning battles and creating second chances around the crease.
Watching this stretch, it feels like the room collectively decided that waiting for April is not an option anymore.
The coaching staff has rewarded that mindset with trust. Manson's minutes have crept up, Nelson is seeing top six usage, and Lehkonen remains a first choice in late defensive situations.
That trust matters because Colorado's system asks a lot mentally. Clean exits, quick reloads, and disciplined back pressure only work when everyone commits to details.
This is where veteran habits show. The Avalanche have allowed fewer odd man rushes lately, and their forecheck looks more layered, forcing opponents into rushed decisions.
The Central Division race is tightening, and Colorado knows points banked now save stress later. Veteran contributions do not always dominate highlight reels, but they often decide playoff positioning.
If this version of the Avalanche sticks, the coming weeks could feel less like survival and more like momentum building toward something bigger.
Previously on Colorado Hockey Daily
| POLL |
DECEMBRE 23 | 41 ANSWERS A sudden surge is sweeping through the Avalanche, and it's not what you expect Are Avalanche veterans driving this recent surge? |
| Yes | 32 | 78 % |
| No | 9 | 22 % |
| List of polls |