For all of his regular season success, head coach Jared Bednar has only one Stanley Cup Final appearance and championship. As a result, some fans and gamblers wonder if more could be accomplished with the Stanley Cup betting odds. For the Colorado Avalanche, it was a fourth consecutive 100-point season. Also, Colorado made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Colorado has been one of the elite franchises in the NHL. But there is a sense that they are not getting all that they can out of what they have.
2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Preview: Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
| Date and Time: | Monday, April 21, 2025, 9:30 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX. |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | -1½ +175 | 6 -122 | -143 |  |
| Dallas Stars | +1½ -205 | 6 +106 | +127 | |
| ||||
Colorado Avalanche Series Schedule
- Game 2: Avalanche at Stars, Monday, April 21, 9:30, ESPN
- Game 3: Stars at Avalanche, Wednesday, April 23, 9:30, ESPN
- Game 4: Stars at Avalanche, Saturday, April 26, 9:30, TBS, truTV, Max
- x-Game 5: Avalanche at Stars, Monday, April 27, TBD
- x-Game 6: Stars at Avalanche, Thursday, May 1, TBD
- x-Game 7: Avalanche at Stars, Saturday, May 3, TBD
Colorado Avalanche Head Coach
Head coach Jared Bednar has been one of the most successful coaches in the NHL. Consider that Colorado is coming off seven consecutive playoff appearances under Bednar. His career sports betting record is 389-246-64 with one Stanley Cup.
Colorado Avalanche Goaltenders
Number one goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood has a 2.33 goals against average and a save percentage of .913. Overall, his record is 22-12-3 with three shutouts. He was acquired from the San Jose Sharks during the season.
Colorado Avalanche Key Players
Colorado C and marquee man Nathan MacKinnon is a seven-time All-Star, including last year. Last year, MacKinnon scored a career-high 51 goals, 89 assists, and 140 points. This season, Big Mac has 32 goals, 84 assists, 116 points and a +25.
Many consider D Cale Makar to be the best in the game. Makar is a three-time All-Star and the 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP. Last year, Makar scored 21 goals, 69 assists, and 90 points. This season, Makar has 30 goals, 62 assists, 92 points and a +28.
Colorado Avalanche Record, Metrics & History
Colorado had NHL rankings of 5th for goals scored and 8th for power play efficiency. In comparison, on defense, the Avalanche had NHL rankings of 12th for goals against and 15th for penalty killing.
To conclude the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche were 49-29-4 straight up and 37-39-6 over/under the NHL Playoff betting odds total. Colorado was also third in the Western Conference playoff standings, 14 points behind the Winnipeg Jets.
For the past three seasons, the Colorado Avalanche have been favored to win the Stanley Cup championship. Colorado looked like the team to beat in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they went up 2-0 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round. But Vegas stormed back to win the next four games and the series. As a result, Colorado was shattered after the defeat. But they did not blow everything up.
The Avalanche management realizes that they have a loaded team. Colorado fans have responded with packed crowds at Ball Arena. And with the most enthusiasm since their initial Stanley Cup years.
The Avalanche management was rewarded with a Stanley Cup in 2022. Their patience and wisdom paid off. Naturally, more glory is expected with a young team that is among the most talented in the NHL.