Should You Bet on the Colorado Avalanche to win the 2026 Stanley Cup?

Since the start of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche have built a strong case for being the best team in the league, possessing a six point lead for first in the overall standings. Their dominance on both sides of the ice helps reduce the amount of variance in their contests, fielding a star studded lineup who ranks in the top-5 in Expected Goals For and Against.

Colorado Avalanche to Win Western Conference?

After winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Colorado Avalanche have struggled to recapture the same success they had in their run to the title, failing to win the Western Conference Championship with two first round exits during that span. Their lack of defensive production held them back from being a well rounded unit, making it easier for their opposition to keep it uncomfortably close on the scoreboard.

Heading into this year’s playoffs, the Avs are well equipped to make a deep run in the tournament, fielding a back line who ranks third in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. With their back line consistently smothering opposing shot attempts, Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood have both been able to play at a high level, sitting near the top of the board in Goals Saved Above Expected.

While their back line has been able to round back into dominant form, their offense has been a steady source of production, rivaling the Carolina Hurricanes for first in Expected Goals For in 5-on-5 Play. Their versatility has played a major role in their success with eight players all averaging over 0.25 Expected Goals per game.

Assuming the Avs hold on to their lead for first in the Central division standings, then they are projected to play the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the playoffs. After skating past San Jose, the Avs would face off against the winner of Minnesota and Dallas, two competitive units who excel on defense but lack the production on offense that is needed to match the Avs output.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Avs will most likely battle it out against Edmonton or Vegas, another pair of contenders whose struggles on one side of the ice will make it hard for them to compete in a seven game series. Even as the heavy betting favorite, place a wager on the Avs to win the Western Conference Championship now before their odds continue to plummet.

Best Odds: Colorado Avalanche to win Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche to Win Stanley Cup?

To help increase your exposure on the Avs, place a separate wager on them to win the Stanley Cup as they will be listed as the favorite to win it all no matter who they face in the finals. Especially if the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes fail to make it to the final round, skyrocketing the Avs odds in the process.

Not only do the Avs possess clear advantages on both sides of the ice over most of the contenders in the East, but their ability to swap their goalies without suffering any regression will help preserve them. A massive advantage over the Lightning and Hurricanes who are both heavily reliant on just one goaltender, bringing in a higher amount of variance when their legs start to wear out.

By being able to interchange their goalies, the drop off in production will be minimal the deeper they get into the playoffs, making it easier for the Avs to avoid falling into a cold stretch of play which increases their chances of winning. Both goalies have been phenomenal this year, averaging less than 2.60 Goals Against per game.

Should the top contenders in the East fall, then the Avs front line will be able to thrive, taking advantage of a group of defenses who all rank near the bottom of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Even if their goal tending falls back down to reality, their advantage on offense will be enough to mask their regression by setting a scoring pace too fast for their opponent to keep up with.

With no glaring weaknesses at any area of the ice, the Avs are in the best position to make a run to the Stanley Cup, making them worth a wager at their short odds. If they do face off against either the Lightning or Hurricanes, their odds are still long enough for you to hedge your bet to help secure a profit by betting their opponents series moneyline.

Best Odds: Colorado Avalanche to win Stanley Cup

Any Colorado Avalanche Players to Win Conn Smythe?

Arguably the most dynamic player in the league, Nathan MacKinnon has been able to consistently pressure the net this season, averaging 0.48 Expected Goals and 4.48 Shots on Goal per game. Even when opposing back lines are forced to shade an extra defender towards him, MacKinnon has had no issue with weaving the puck through their coverage, resulting in either a high quality Shot on Goal or an Assist to a teammate set up on the opposite side of the net.

Even with Artturi Lehkonen and Brock Nelson rivaling MacKinnon in Expected Goals, their lack of aggression will make it tough for them to match his output, averaging less than 3.00 Shots on Goal per game. Barring an injury, expect MacKinnon to continue to stuff the stat sheet, making him the clear favorite to win the Conn Smythe.

If you do want to diversify your Conn Smythe portfolio, consider placing two smaller wagers on Wedgewood and Blackwood as the spotlight will shine brighter on them if they continue to help the Avs pull away on the scoreboard while keeping a clean sheet in net.

Photo Credit: AP/David Zalubowski