Colorado Avalanche have rewritten their identity since last Christmas break, going from a middling team to the top of the NHL standings with legitimacy as a Cup contender. Back then the Avs sat outside elite company, just 11th in the league while injuries and inconsistency dogged their lineup, and questions lingered about balance and scoring depth.
This season, with a roster that feels both deeper and more dynamic, the Avalanche have flipped that narrative. They've posted an outstanding record with only two regulation losses, and sport the league's best points percentage and a strong goal differential, making them far more than "dangerous if they get in."
Avalanche rise from struggle to contender.
Jim Parsons from The Hockey News writes that Colorado's transformation didn't feel overnight, but it became obvious as the standings crystalized around the holiday break. Their balance between offense and defense has improved, with contributions from stars and role players alike.
Young and new faces have stepped up beside established leaders like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, giving Colorado a more complete look than the team showed at this same moment last year
Offensively, some of that change is evident in MacKinnon's elite scoring rate and his position near the top of league leaders this season, while defensively the Avalanche have tightened up with fewer lapses and more reliable structure away from the puck. Goaltending has also been steadier, with Jesper Wallstedt and Scott Wedgewood providing a backbone during stretches where consistency mattered most.
That shift, from being just inside the playoff conversation to legitimately being one of the top teams in the NHL, has turned fans' conversations from "can they make noise?" to "are they Cup favorites this year?" That's a seismic change from 12 months ago.
Close behind Colorado's turnaround in the league-wide comparison are teams like the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild, who've also climbed standings substantially year-over-year, but it's the Avalanche whose leap has been most dramatic.
For Avalanche supporters, watching this club evolve from inconsistency to dominance has been one of the most striking storylines across the NHL landscape since last Christmas break.