With the dawn of the 2025–26 season upon us, the Colorado Avalanche start playing games for real. It means that part eight and the last installment of this series is here.

The prediction shows that Colorado is performing well, and they should have already secured a spot in the postseason. Will it slow them down here in the final 11 games?

March 28 vs. Winnipeg Jets (41–18–10)

After ending the last series prediction article with a loss to the Jets on the road, the Avalanche look for revenge just a couple of days later on home ice. Perhaps with playoff position implications, Colorado will look for any points it can get.

In this prediction, Connor Hellebuyck has played brilliantly as he did in the previous game. Since this isn’t a traditional back-to-back, I can see Hellebuyck leading his team to another win.

March 30 vs. Calgary Flames (41–19–10)

Colorado’s lone appearance on Monday night hockey on Prime Video in Canada comes against old friend Nazem Kadri and the Calgary Flames. It marks the first of three matchups against Calgary in the final three weeks of the season. It will also mark win number 42 for the Avalanche.

April 1 vs. Vancouver Canucks (42–19–10)

As the calendar turns to April, Colorado won’t be fooling around against the Vancouver Canucks. The usual debate of Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes will rage once again between the two Norris Trophy candidates.

Hence, it means it’s time for another bold prediction: Hughes will outscore Makar in the game. But the Avalanche will prevail on home ice for a second straight win.

April 4 at Dallas Stars (43–19–10)

The end of the regular season isn’t easy for the Avalanche. Another playoff preview could be on its way in this Saturday afternoon matchup against the division-rival Dallas Stars.

This game is on ABC for the masses to watch. It’s on the road, a matinee game, and the first leg of a back-to-back. Therefore, it has all the makings of a loss for the Avalanche, their 20th of the season in this prediction.

April 5 vs. St. Louis Blues (43–20–10)

The next night back at home, Colorado welcomes St. Louis for the final division rivalry night. If it’s anything like last season, the Blues will push for the final wild card spot, and it may be up for grabs once again.

Therefore, St. Louis will probably try, and the Avalanche should be ready for the playoffs, focusing on staying healthy. Don’t be surprised if it ends up being a loss for the home side.

April 7 at St. Louis Blues (43–21–10)

The last game of the season against a Central Division opponent is once again also against the Blues. Just two days after they beat Colorado on the road, they’ll look for a repeat effort. Similar to the reasoning last game, the Blues will win this one too.

April 9 vs. Calgary Flames (43–22–10)

The second of three games to wrap up the year against the Flames comes at home. Calgary could have an outside chance at the postseason with a weaker Pacific Division. But with the Avalanche losing three straight, they’ll get back to winning ways, perhaps with some help from Martin Necas – if he’s still with the team by then.

April 11 vs. Vegas Golden Knights (44–22–10)

A big game back on ABC against the Vegas Golden Knights wraps up the penultimate game of the season on home ice. Both teams will probably have secured their postseason positions and will face each other in a potential Western Conference Final.

The bold prediction I’ll make here in this game is a Nathan MacKinnon masterclass. Similar to his game against the Minnesota Wild on national TV a couple of years ago, he’ll lead Colorado to a big 45th win.

April 13 at Edmonton Oilers (45–22–10)

The final back-to-back of the season takes place in Alberta, starting against the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton and Colorado could both be resting top players to prepare for the postseason. Therefore, I’ll give the home-ice advantage to the Oilers.

April 14 at Calgary Flames (45–23–10)

In Calgary the next night, game three of three in three weeks between the Avalanche and Flames takes place. This game will be the only one at the Saddledome all year for Colorado. Win number three over Calgary will be on the horizon, even with tired legs in the final regular-season road game.

April 16 vs. Seattle Kraken (46–23–10)

For one last time in the regular season at home, the Avalanche take on the Seattle Kraken. Colorado will be ready to make another push for the Stanley Cup, while Seattle will likely be out of the running for a playoff spot. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised if they lose, like in the regular-season finale against the Canucks last season.

 

Even then, Colorado is sitting pretty with the slow end to the regular season. An editor’s note – it’s hard to keep track of 82 games – I accidentally left out two losses earlier in the year.

As much as the Avalanche wish they could get rid of losses, it makes the final record in this prediction 46–26–10, coming out to 102 points. In this final 11-game stretch, they went 5–6–0, but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. But now the real deal begins, starting tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings at 8:30 p.m. MT on ESPN!