The Colorado Avalanche enter the final week of 2025 as the NHL’s premier team, sitting atop the league standings with a dominant record. Here are the key storylines surrounding the club and their schedule for the upcoming week (Dec. 29 – Jan. 4).
Chasing History
The biggest conversation surrounding the Avs is whether this 2025-26 squad is the greatest in franchise history. With a record hovering around 28-2-7, they are on a historic pace that rivals the legendary 2001 Stanley Cup team. They are currently the league leaders in goals scored and are tracking toward franchise records for total wins and points.
Nathan MacKinnon & Cale Makar’s Dominance
Nathan MacKinnon continues to play at an MVP level. He recently saw an eight-game point streak snapped but bounced back immediately with a multi-point performance against the Vegas Golden Knights. He is leading the charge for the Art Ross Trophy.
Cale Makar remains the gold standard on the blue line, producing offense at a rate rarely seen by defensemen. His ability to control the game flow has been instrumental in the team’s current seven-game winning streak.
The Martin Necas Impact
A major storyline for this season has been the acquisition and performance of Martin Necas. He has fit seamlessly into the top-six forward group, providing crucial secondary scoring behind the big line. Necas was the hero in the recent 6-5 shootout win over Vegas, scoring two goals in regulation and a shootout goal, proving he is a vital piece of the championship core.
Resilience in Net (Wedgewood & Blackwood)
While historical comparisons often bring up Patrick Roy, the current tandem of Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood has been surprisingly solid. Wedgewood recently backstopped the team to a gritty win against the Golden Knights, and Blackwood has provided stability, helping the team maintain the best goal differential in the league.
Recent Form: Comeback Kings
The Avs are riding a seven-game winning streak. Their most recent victory was a dramatic 6-5 shootout win against the Golden Knights on Dec. 27, where they erased multiple third-period deficits. This resilience has solidified their status as the team to beat in the Western Conference.
Avalanche Schedule Dec 29 – Jan 4
| Date | Day | Time (MT) | Opponent | Venue | Notes |
| Dec. 29 | Monday | 7:00 PM | vs. Los Angeles Kings | Ball Arena | Home game to start the week. |
| Dec. 31 | Wednesday | 7:00 PM | vs. St. Louis Blues | Ball Arena | New Year’s Eve clash; division rivalry. |
| Jan. 3 | Saturday | 5:00 PM | @ Carolina Hurricanes | Lenovo Center | First game of 2026; tough road test. |
| Jan. 4 | Sunday | 3:00 PM | @ Florida Panthers | Amerant Bank Arena | Back-to-back vs. the defending 2024 champs. |
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