The Colorado Avalanche are receiving high praise for the start to their season across the NHL media landscape and rightfully so. The team has one regulation loss through the first 23 games this season and has been on a heater lately, drubbing the San Jose Sharks 6-0 most recently and shutting out their last three opponents.
Notable podcast Spittin’ Chiclets compared the team to the recent Boston Bruins squad that set a record for points in a season, heaping high praise on all assets of the team from Colorado.
Ryan Whitney, Chiclets host and veteran of 481 NHL games, spoke glowingly of the Avalanche, specifically MacKinnon, Makar and Necas.
“They’re looking like that Bruins team that broke the record for points.”
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 25, 2025
The Colorado Avalanche are in a league of their own this year and DRUMMING teams along the way. pic.twitter.com/E22wuJePik
This team’s hot start hasn’t been solely due to those three stars, however. Its taken a team effort to get to this point in the season.
Scott Wedgewood has been at an all-world level this season. The career backup currently leads the NHL in wins with 13 in 17 games. He’s currently holding a 2.09 goals-against average with a save percentage of .918.
Wedgewood seized the starter’s crease when Mackenzie Blackwood, the presumptive starter, began the season injured, and Wedgie hasn’t let up. He’s currently in the conversation to make the Canadian Olympic team and also in Vezina conversation early in the season.
Mackenzie Blackwood is back from injury and hitting his stride of late, posting two straight shutouts over his last two starts. He currently has a .928 save percentage this season, coupled with a 1.98 goals-against average.
With a goaltending tandem like this, it’s the envy of the league, and it's no wonder the team has won ten straight games. Goaltending is the backbone of success in the NHL. It’s also imperative to have when penalty killing.
Speaking of penalty killing, the Avalanche have been extremely successful this season on that specialty team. As of the writing of this article, the team is third in the NHL with an 87.7 success rate on the penalty kill.
This success on the PK, as well as between the pipes, is a recipe for success in the second season (the playoffs) and burgundy and blue faithful must be giddy about the prospects for the rest of this season.
Cale Makar has been his usual self for the team. He has 30 points in 23 games this season and he’s a plus 23 while averaging over 25 minutes per night. Makar is simply unbelievable, and Avs nation has the pleasure of watching him nightly.
The Avalanche are getting other contributions from the blueline corps as well. Sam Malinski has been excellent thus far and he’s clearly taking the next step in his evolution. Makinski has 12 points already this season in only 23 games. His previous career high in points, 15, was obtained across 76 games last season. He's well on pace to break that points mark this season.
With unsung surprises like Malinski, the team continues to develop assets that other teams need to account for.
Offensively, it’s much the same for the team. Nathan MacKinnon once again leads the NHL in points by a wide margin with 39. MacKinnon also leads the NHL in goals with 18. Much of that success is due to his tenacity and grit and undying desire to be the best, but this season he’s developed quick chemistry with star Marty Necas.
Necas has been excellent as well, scoring 30 points across 23 games. With a two-headed monster on the top line, opposing teams have plenty to strategize for.
Unfortunately for opposing teams, it’s not only a two-headed monster they need to prepare for. The team is getting contributions from all four lines offensively, and that’s without Valeri Nichushkin of late.
The team has 11 players with over 10 points this season. It speaks to the team’s depth. Brock Nelson, second line center, plays in all dynamics of the game, has been quality on faceoffs, and has added 12 points thus far.
Victor Olofsson has added 16 points while playing primarily on the third line this season. Ross Colton, also on the third line, has 12 points as well.
Parker Kelly, a fourth line grind type player, has scored five goals already this season.
Jack Drury, the center on the third line, has been excellent on faceoffs and the penalty kill.
The Avalanche success this season, unlike years past, has been a total team effort. Chris MacFarland put together a heck of a team, at least through the first 23 games of the season – and the record shows.
Praise has been heaped upon this team by more than just the Spittin’ Chiclets crew, and its well deserved. The goal, obviously, is not to be the best team through 23 regular season games, but the best team through June when the Stanley Cup is lifted. If the team continues to get contributions from all members of the team, their opportunity to lift Lord Stanley is better than anyone.