In the 2024-2025 season, the Colorado Avalanche got off to a horrendous start with four straight losses. While they were able to salvage a 5-5 record over the first ten games, that slow start put them on the back foot and left them chasing in the Central Division, eventually clawing their way to third behind the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars.
Coach Jared Bednar has stated in the past that he does not put much weight on the results of any one game but rather looks at the season through the lens of ten-game segments to evaluate strengths and weaknesses. Here is a preview of the Avs’ first ten games and where we can expect them to be at the end of it.
The Big Dogs
The Avs play against three teams – the Los Angeles Kings, the Dallas Stars and the Carolina Hurricanes - that were second in their respective divisions last season. These games will be an early test to see if the Avs can dictate play against other strong teams. There are questions about whether or not the Kings are candidates for regression, but their suffocating defensive structure will make life miserable for the offense. The Stars are a known enemy with the ability to match the Avs punch for punch. The Canes boast an elite 200-foot game that features a strong forecheck that will frustrate the Avs‘ transition game. Fortunately, the Avalanche have the tools to weather those challenges and find ways to break through those systems to score.
Teams on the rise
The Utah Mammoth (twice) and the Columbus Blue Jackets made big strides last season despite not making the playoffs. There is a lot of skill and a lot of belief on both of those teams, but some holes as well. The Avs should be able to overpower both of them, but only if they stay on top of their game. If they let their guard down at all, both squads are good enough to steal the victory from Colorado.
While the New Jersey Devils are a strong team on paper, it has not always translated well to the ice. They hope to turn that around this season with a forward crew that loves to play a high-speed, high-skill game. If the Avalanche give the Devils the time and space in which to operate, they risk getting burned. But if they can match and counter their attack, the Avs can wear them down.
The struggle bus
The Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins (twice) are both teams that struggles last season and have a big uphill battle ahead of them this season. The Sabres have some exciting young scoring talent, but questionable consistency on defense and at goaltender. The Bruins have a patchwork lineup that is looking for an identity. The Avs should easily take these games as long as they do not play down to the competition. It is imperative that they open these games well and do not give them any footholds to keep them in it.
While not a cakewalk by any means, this is a good opening 10 games for the Colorado Avalanche to test their roster against a mix of excellent, good, and struggling teams. They should definitely achieve a winning record, and going 7-3 or 8-2 is a very realistic possibility, If they manage that, then the Avs will be off to a strong start in the pursuit of winning the Central Division this season.