The Colorado Avalanche’s path in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs is set. Thursday night’s action settled the path the Avs will need to go through in order to get to the ultimate prize: A Stanley Cup championship.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the path that lies ahead for the Avalanche. While much of the path seems eerily familiar, it could certainly take an interesting detour along the way.
First round – LA Kings
The Avalanche’s path begins with a bit of a different foe. The Avs will face the LA Kings in the first round of the 2026 NHL playoffs. The matchup will take place as Colorado clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, with the Kings squeaking into the postseason as the second wild card team.
It’s been a while since the Avalanche and Kings have faced one another in the playoffs. The first time the two clubs met was in 2001 when Colorado downed LA in the second round. That season, the Avs went on to win their second Cup in franchise history.
The second time they met was the following season. Again, the Avs took the series in seven. The Avs came close to a second-straight Stanley Cup Final appearance. However, the Avs fell to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Final.
That’s 24 years since the last time these two clubs met. And much like the first two times, the expectation is that the Avalanche will down the Kings. The Avs swept the season series, winning all three matchups between the two clubs.
So, it seems the Avalanche are on a good path to make it to the second round.
Second round – Minnesota Wild or Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars-Minnesota Wild series has to be this season what the Stars-Avalanche series was last year. This series could easily be a conference final. And it’s a good thing these two clubs are meeting in the first round. The series could well do the distance, and will be a war of attrition. Whoever comes out of this series could be depleted, making them an easier foe for the Avalanche.
Based on the season series, it’s tough to pick an opponent. The Avs tied the season series with both teams. But if recency bias is any indication, Colorado would fare well against either club. The Avs won their last meeting against both teams, suggesting that a second-round meeting might not be as complicated as initially thought.
There is a clear opportunity here for the Avalanche to make it to the Western Conference Final, where they could run into a familiar adversary.
Western Conference Final – Edmonton Oilers
The favorite to come out of the Pacific Division side of the bracket is the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers have been to the Stanley Cup Final the last two seasons. As such, they will carry the “favorites” tag throughout their postseason run.
The Oilers will open their playoff run against the upstart Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks could upset Edmonton, potentially throwing everyone’s playoff bracket out the window.
Meanwhile, the other first-round series is the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas will be the favorite in this series. But by the looks of things, the Mammoth could pull off a stunning upset.
If nothing changes, the Golden Knights and Oilers could meet in the second round. Last season, the Oilers dispatched the Golden Knights in five games. Assuming that trend continues, it could be a Colorado-Edmonton Western Conference Final.
The last time the Oilers and Avalanche met was in 2022. The Avs swept the series en route to the Stanley Cup. You can bet the Oilers will be eager to get revenge. However, the season series suggests Edmonton’s playoff run could end. The Avs embarrassed Edmonton 9-1 on November 8, with their last meeting a 2-1 shootout win. The Avs took two of three, signaling that the path could be there for Colorado to make it all the way to the final.
Stanley Cup Final – Eastern Conference champion
As for the Eastern Conference side of the bracket, well, let’s try to keep things as short as possible. The field is impressive to say the least. The Buffalo Sabres, this year’s most remarkable story, could end up going on an insane run in the postseason. A Colorado-Buffalo Stanley Cup Final series would be one for the ages.
Then, there is the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts are a familiar foe. And they are as though they’ve always been. The Lightning could steamroll their way to the final, setting up a 2022 rematch. However, the Lightning’s path won’t be easy as they have the Montreal Canadiens to deal with in the first round.
The Canadiens have a 100-point scorer in Nick Suzuki and a 50-goal sniper in Cole Caufield. The Atlantic Division field also includes the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Any one of those five teams could put up a strong run. However, it’s the Senators that Avalanche fans should keep an eye on. They are the sort of plucky team that could end up pulling off a string of upsets.
On the Metro Division side of the equation, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Carolina Hurricanes will be the teams to watch. The odds-on favorite to emerge out of the Eastern Conference scrum is Carolina. Colorado fans will recall how unfriendly it was to play the Hurricanes disguised as the Hartford Whalers.
The two clubs split the season series with the Canes taking the first game 5-4 on October 23 via the shootout. The Avalanche got the last laugh, winning their January 3 matchup 5-3 in regulation.
Should such a Stanley Cup Final materialize, it has the potential to be a seven-game classic. The Hurricanes’ suffocating style of play is reminiscent of peak Florida Panthers. But the Avalanche just has too much firepower to slide away.
Unless injuries devastate the Avalanche in the playoffs, it will be tough for anyone to match up this season. Barring a stunning upset like in 2023, the Avalanche have one of the clearest paths they’ve ever had to the Stanley Cup.
The Avs open their Stanley Cup run on Saturday against the LA Kings at Ball Arena. A strong opening game, preferably a blowout win, would set the tone for the remainder of the postseason. All the Avalanche need are 16 more wins to call themselves champions this season.
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