Why the Avs’ Cup Chances Surged Down the Stretch

It’s been a whirlwind of a week for the Avalanche but the changes have significantly increased the team’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup — for several reasons.

“The management believing in this group — going out at the deadline, landing some big guys. It just goes to show that when you can take a stab at it, you got to take your chances. So credit to them going all in. It’s up to us to go out there and produce,” Ross Colton said.

The Avs’ front office traded for forwards Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle at the deadline. The two played their first game in burgundy and blue on Saturday and each earned a point. The two have created an instant boost of confidence on a team that has struggled with inconsistency all season.

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“Big trade deadline for us, we brought some great players. Obviously we miss some guys, they were great guys but it’s hockey — it’s still business. We have a great team and now we’ve got 18, 19 games to figure out, make sure we get the chemistry,” Martin Necas said.

Colton said even back in training camp the team knew this was a special group. But that team was a lot different than the present. Colorado’s opening night roster has changed drastically to what it was on Saturday.

Only 12 players from the opening night roster remain in the current lineup. It’s been quite a year with injuries but the team’s “next-man-up” resiliency has kept them in the running. The Avs finally have a healthy, stacked roster which is bad news for all other Western Conference teams.

“It’s imperative if you want to finish as high as you can finish that you’re healthy. Maybe fans or media at times and people outside the game that are just watching underestimate the importance of being available and having a healthy lineup …,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “You have to play your best hockey when you’re healthy and make hay when the sun shines.”

Bednar has earned his keep with what he’s managed this season. Players rotated regularly in and out of the lineup but the head coach kept the boat sailing. And that’s no easy feat.

“I think it’s pretty incredible. I think a lot of teams wouldn’t be in the position that we are in,” Colton said. “A lot of it’s the depth, but a lot of credit goes to him (Bednar) as well with managing different line combinations, managing time on ice and all that different kind of stuff. It’s pretty special. And I think we’re fortunate to be in this position.”

The Avalanche have 18 games remaining in the season and the moves management made at the deadline seem familiar to three years ago. The team is excited and chemistry seems instant with the latest additions. As Erik Johnson referred to it, they had the “secret sauce” back then and that’s what won them a Stanley Cup.