Revisiting what went right for the 2022 Avalanche

3 months ago  /  Mile High Hockey

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images


What worked best for the Avs then and how can they learn to implement it next season? It’s already that point in the summer to revisit good times for the Colorado Avalanche.
Last night, I went back and looked at the goals scored by the Avs in their run to the Stanley Cup in 2022, and there were several noticeable trends. These trends were glaringly missed this last season in the postseason.
Of course, injuries and different players play their part, and there is nothing the Avs can really control on the ice. So, just focusing on what the team can control, here are just a few of them which Colorado can try to implement in their future playoff runs. Perhaps a few of them will be noticeable to fans, too.
Furious forechecking
On probably half of the goals scored in the 2022 postseason run, they all came from the Avs putting pressure on their opponents. This pressure then led to turnovers by the opponent, leading to Colorado working the puck quickly to the net.
Furthermore, even if the goals didn’t come from the forecheck, they continued to work and dig for everything. Jared Bednar loves to implement this style and get pucks to the front of the net. Guys like Valeri Nichushkin and Gabriel Landeskog are masters at this. Look at who was missing in the last two postseason runs - Valeri Nichushkin and Gabriel Landeskog.


The most important goal that Andre Burakovsky has ever scored. This one felt damn good. Both broadcasts included. pic.twitter.com/5yMiSV0qfC— Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) July 15, 2022




The Avs have been missing this style the previous two seasons and digging for pucks. This has led to their inability to move pucks well and score goals in bunches, as they did in 2022. With the previous players mentioned seemingly on track to return by the end of next season, it could help their fate in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Devious defensemen
One player still remaining on the roster stood out more than others. This would be none other than Devon Toews. Toews was an animal in the playoffs alongside his defensive pair and eventual Conn-Smythe winner Cale Makar, and the two combined for 44 points in 20 games while playing insanely good defense at the same time.


Here's a Devon Toews mix I could watch all day. Standing up at the line, timing his stick checks, taking the puck away from people. What a player pic.twitter.com/fxajhntI6f— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) July 27, 2022




While Makar never slowed down in the postseason going forward, Toews did. He only scored six points in 10 games in 2024, struggling to get pucks to the net and having lapses on defense - this includes Makar, who had a few glaring turnovers this postseason.
Aside from the two top defenders on the team, not much has changed from the cup-winning team aside from Bowen Byram. This defensive core is very capable of producing similar results as they did in 2022, no matter who ends up being the sixth defenseman in the future. Getting pucks to the net will certainly help their case.
Depth all across the Avalanche
Of course, depth played its part in the run. Andrew Cogliano, Darren Helm, Andre Burakovsky, Nazem Kadri, J.T. Compher, and many others were brilliant in their roles. Since then, the guys brought in to try and replicate those roles have never fully been fulfilled.
Perhaps more importantly, the depth of the defense was impressive. Jack Johnson was solid in replacing Sam Girard, who was out with a broken sternum he received in the second round against the St. Louis Blues. Plus, we can never forget the underrated but always remembered relief performances of Pavel Francouz when Darcy Kuemper was out injured.


Pavel Francouz has retired, here’s him getting the entire arena to chant his name before shutting out the Oilers in 2022. pic.twitter.com/vpAOGk3Cb4— president of the mikko/veen fan club (@PresidentMikko) April 19, 2024




The Avs will rely on depth and experience this season, particularly since they are strapped for cash. They can’t bring in big-name free agents and bring everyone back, so they will look for those who can play similar roles to Cogliano, Helm, and Johnson.
Perhaps the wildcard will be whether Colorado rolls with Justus Annunen as the solidified backup should the tremendous Alexandar Georgiev go down with an injury. He’s been good, but he’s no Francouz yet in his career. Will he be ready to go and get more experience during the regular season to prepare him for a full-time role at the highest level?
Oh, to be back in 2022. It will be a long summer if we’re already looking back at this rate. Nonetheless, what else would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
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