If the Avalanche is going to match or exceed last year’s run to the Western Conference semifinals, the team’s deepest playoff run since 2008, here is what it will need to do.
1. Beyond regulation. The Avs were a league-worst 5-14 in overtime and shootouts last season — a big reason why they struggled to make the postseason with a modest 90 points. If Colorado can win more games than it loses beyond regulation, or even hover around .500, it will probably be looking at its first 100-point season since 2013-14 (112).