The Colorado Avalanche have a storied history in the NHL playoffs, dating back to the team’s inception in 1995. Over the years, the Avalanche have established themselves as a formidable force in the postseason, with their fair share of thrilling moments, heartbreaking defeats, and unforgettable victories. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the Avalanche’s playoff journey.
The Avalanche made their playoff debut in the 1995-1996 season, just one year after relocating from Quebec City. Led by legendary goaltender Patrick Roy and a talented roster that included Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Adam Foote, the Avalanche stormed through the playoffs. They swept the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks in the first two rounds before facing the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals. In a fiercely competitive series, the Avalanche prevailed, securing their spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Facing the Florida Panthers in the championship round, the Avalanche showcased their dominance, winning their first-ever Stanley Cup in their inaugural season. The team’s success continued in the following years, as they won another Stanley Cup in 2001, this time defeating the New Jersey Devils in a grueling seven-game series.
The 2001 playoff run not only solidified the Avalanche as one of the NHL’s elite teams but also cemented Patrick Roy’s legacy as one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the sport. Roy’s unparalleled brilliance during that postseason earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
In the years that followed, the Avalanche consistently made the playoffs but had their fair share of disappointments. They were often eliminated in the first or second round, failing to recapture the magic of their earlier championship runs. In the 2002-2003 season, however, the Avalanche embarked on a playoff journey that saw them reach the Western Conference Finals, only to be eliminated by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in a heartbreaking seven-game series.
After some disappointing playoff runs, the Avalanche finally experienced a resurgence in the 2013-2014 season. Led by a new core of talented players, including Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche finished with the second-best record in the league. In the playoffs, they defeated the Minnesota Wild in the first round but succumbed to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Avalanche struggled to make the playoffs in the following years but returned with a vengeance in the 2017-2018 season. Anchored by an outstanding performance from Nathan MacKinnon, who finished as a finalist for the Hart Trophy, the Avalanche clinched a playoff spot as the second wild card team. In the first round, they faced off against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Nashville Predators, and against all odds, the Avalanche pushed one of the league’s best teams to six games before bowing out.
In the 2019-2020 season, the Avalanche once again asserted themselves as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. With an electrifying offense and improved defense, the team secured the second seed in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, their playoff journey was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the suspension of the season.
As the Avalanche continue to build their roster and pursue future playoff success, they carry a rich legacy that showcases their resilience, skill, and dedication. With a strong foundation of talent, passionate fan base, and a hunger to add to their championship legacy, the Avalanche are poised to carve out a significant presence in future NHL playoff campaigns.