Colorado Avalanche Rank Third in Stanley Cup Odds, but There’s a Major Drawback
The Colorado Avalanche are in a strong position to compete for the Stanley Cup this season—at least according to oddsmakers in Las Vegas.
A leading sportsbook currently lists Colorado with the third-best odds (+800) to win the championship. However, there’s a significant caveat.
The Dallas Stars are ranked just ahead of them at +550, while the reigning champion Florida Panthers sit as the favorites at +500. But due to the NHL’s controversial playoff seeding system, the Avalanche and Stars are likely to clash in the first round, creating a major hurdle for both teams.
The league abandoned the traditional 1-8 conference playoff format back in 2013-14, instead implementing a system where the second and third seeds in each division square off in the opening round. While this structure may seem logical at first glance, it presents two key issues.
First, it results in repetitive matchups year after year. Second, it can force elite teams to eliminate each other too early, especially if one division is particularly strong.
This season, the Central Division is a prime example. The Winnipeg Jets (100 points), Stars (94 points), and Avalanche (89 points) currently hold three of the top six records in the entire NHL. Despite their strength, either Colorado or Dallas will be sent home early if they meet in the opening round—a scenario that seems unfair given their championship potential.
Whoever survives that series will have already knocked out a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and could emerge as the new favorite. Under the old 1-8 system, Dallas would be matched against the Minnesota Wild (2 vs. 7), while Colorado would take on the Los Angeles Kings (4 vs. 5)—a much more balanced bracket.
The Avalanche have a legitimate shot at capturing their second title in four years, but the current playoff format could force them into an early exit. The NHL’s reluctance to adjust its seeding system continues to frustrate fans and teams alike.
