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2024-25 Colorado Avalanche Predictions and Odds to Win Stanley Cup Finals

by Ryan Cobbett - 9/23/2024

Colorado Avalanche predictions Mikko Rantanen

The Colorado Avalanche once again had a tremendous season for 2023-24 and went on a run in the playoffs. They finished with 107 points and clinched the final guaranteed spot in the Central Division. They dominated in the first round of the playoffs, knocking off the Winnipeg  Jets in five games and taking the series with a +13-goal differential. However, Colorado’s season came to an end in the second round, as the Dallas Stars took them down in six games. The Avalanche dominated the opposition on their home ice, as they led the NHL with 31 wins.

Colorado led the league in scoring, as they averaged 3.68 GF/G, while also ranking in the Top 5 in PP%, as they cashed in on 24.5% of their Power Play opportunities. They also finished fifth in the league in S% at 11.2%. Colorado’s Penalty Kill was average, as they finished with a PK% of 79.9%. Colorado was one of three teams in the league with two players that finished in the Top 10 in points in the league (Edmonton and Toronto). Nathan MacKinnon finished with 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists), which ranked second in the league, while Mikko Rantanen finished eighth with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists). MacKinnon also ranked fourth in the league in goals and third in assists. Behind MacKinnon and Rantanen is blueliner Cale Makar, who finished with 90 points on 21 goals and 69 assists.

The netminding was the weak point of this Avalanche team last season. They allowed 3.07 GA/G, which ranked 16th in the league, while their .902 SV% ranked in the bottom half. Alexander Georgiev appeared in 63 games, which was second in the league, behind Juuse Saros’ 64 games. Georgiev allowed 3.02 GA/G on a mere .897 SV%. Justus Annunen appeared in 14 games, going 8-4-1, allowing 2.25 GA/G on an elite .928 SV%. Ivan Prosvetov was the third Avs goalie and appeared in 11 games, going 4-3-1 and allowing 3.16 GA/G.

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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Colorado Avalanche in 2024/25:

Colorado Avalanche Key Additions/Losses

The losses are minimal, and the Avs roster should largely remain intact from last season. Center Andrew Cogliano (19 points) retired, while rentals Yakov Trenin, Tomas Tatar, Brandon Duhaime, and Sean Walker are all gone. Ryan Johansen (23 points) is also no longer with Colorado.

While they wrapped up Casey Mittelstadt long term, the Avs also added blueliners Calvin de Haan (10 points), Caleb MacDonald (9 points), Calle Rosen, Erik Brannstrom (20 points), and Oliver Kylington (8 points). In addition to the added depth at the blueline, they also signed forwards T.J. Tynan and Parker Kelly (18 points).

Colorado Avalanche X-Factors

Health- Last season, the Avs lost Valeri Nichushkin in the playoffs due to off-ice issues while they only had Artturi Lehkonen for 45 games and Gabriel Landeskog missed another season. However, all three are expected to be back at some point this season. Nichushkin had set a career high with 53 points in just 54 games last season, while Landeskog is another 50–60-point producer that would add incredible depth behind MacKinnon and Rantanen. Lehkonen should rejoin the top line, and the second line would feature Landeskog, Mittlestadt, and Nichushkin, which would give Colorado one of the best producing second lines in the league.

Colorado Avalanche Goalie Outlook

Another X-factor for this Avs team is of course their goaltending. This was their weak spot last season. And if they can improve even in the slightest, the Avalanche should be the best team in the league. Justus Annunen was incredible as the backup last season, posting an elite .928 SV%, so it may be worth Colorado to give him some more time and give Georgiev some days off, which in turn could improve his play as well. Overall, Colorado is in a good spot between the pipes. And they are about to have an even better offense than they did last year, which takes a lot of pressure off of Georgiev and Annunen.

Grade: B

Colorado Avalanche Key Schedule Stretch

November 18th- December 20th: This stretch includes 17 games and a lot of time away from home ice. The stretch begins with a four-game road trip along the East Coast with stops in Philadelphia, Washington, Florida, and Tampa Bay. Then the Avs will return to Colorado to face Vegas, before heading out to Dallas for a game, and returning home to play Edmonton. After their home game against the Oilers, Colorado heads out on five game road trip, back on the East Coast to play in Buffalo, Carolina, Detroit, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh. They will return home for two games against Utah and Nashville, and then head to the West Coast to end this stretch with games against Vancouver, San Jose, and Anaheim. This is a lot of travel in a month, and three of their four home games are against some of the best teams in the Western Conference. We will get a good look at what this Colorado team is really made of here.

Colorado Avalanche Notable Odds

Stanley Cup Champions: +1100

Conference Winner: +500

Division Winner: +210

Hart Trophy- Nathan MacKinnon: +500

Norris Trophy- Cale Makar: +280

Colorado Avalanche Predictions

I think Colorado is being a bit undervalued ahead of the new campaign. With Landeskog, Nichushkin, and Lehkonen all slated to return, this offense could be even better than they were a season ago (league leaders in GF/G). Colorado also did a good job adding depth at the blueliner during the offseason, which should help keep opponents off the scoreboard. Any slight improvement from Georgiev and this Avs team will be the best in the league. They are currently tied with the Stars and Devils for the third-best odds to win the Stanley Cup and have the second-best odds to win the Western Conference behind Edmonton. MacKinnon and Makar are also always in the Hart/Norris Trophy discussion and are always good options when taking a future on the Awards. Look for Colorado to have another big season here, hitting the over on the team total with relative ease.

Over 104.5 Team Total Points

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