After winning the 2022 Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche entered the 2022-23 NHL season ranked No. 1 in our preseason power rankings, and Caesars Sportsbook listed them at +400 to win it all again in 2023, the best odds in the league.
Unlike last season -- when they continually ran over nearly all opponents en route to a 119-point season -- things started off a bit slowly for the Avs this season. The departure of Nazem Kadri didn't help, nor did the parade of players hitting injured reserve.
Nevertheless, with 13 games remaining, they are right in the thick of the race for both the Central Division and the Western Conference's No.