Despite going 1-5-1 in their final six games, the 2021-2022 Avalanche dominated the league and crushed franchise records. Before we become consumed by the playoffs, the Avs deserve a shout-out for all they accomplished this year.
The Avs ended the season with a 56-19-7 record, surpassing the franchise record for most wins, which was previously held by the 2000-01 and Roy’s 2013-14 club at 52. They fell short of capturing the President’s Trophy to the Florida Panther’s 122 points. However, the Avs earned 119 points in their 82 contests and beat the 2001 Avs’ 118 points. This guarantees home ice through the Western Conference for the second post-season in a row.
The NHL record for most wins in a season is tied at 62, held by the 1996 Red Wings and 2019 Tamp Bay Lightning.
The record for most points in the regular season is the 1976-77 Montreal Canadians with 132, the 1996 Red Wings at 131, and the 2019 Lightening with 129.
Their record secured them a playoff berth for the 5th straight season, making Jared Bednar the first coach to lead the Avs five years in a row in the post-season. Bednar also became the winningest coast in Avalanche history with a record of 240-168-46 in his six years behind the bench. He earned this recognition back on November 24th, when he surpassed Bob Hartley’s 193 wins. Hartley, of course, coached the 2001 club to their second Stanley Cup.
Fans at Ball Arena saw a phenomenal home-ice performance by the Avs this year with a home record of 32-5-4. They broke the franchise record with an 18-home-game winning streak from November 3 to January 30. This is the 5th longest home win streak in NHL history.
The Avalanche has 16 players (see list below) who have had the best season of their careers, but Nazem Kadri, perhaps most notably. After missing the end of the playoffs last year due to a suspension, Kadri shattered his season's best record with 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists), and he missed 11 games due to injury. His previous record was 55 points with the 2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs. His level of play earned him a spot on the All-Star Team.
Mikko Rantanen led the team with 36 goals and 92 points, with MacKinnon at 32 goals and 88 points in the 65 games. Both Mac and Landy had their career-high seasons in 2018-19
It is no surprise that Cale Makar is among the list of players with career-highs, but he also broke the franchise record for most goals by a defenseman and led the league for defensemen goals at 28. Sandis Ozolinsh had 23 in 1996-7. At 23, Makar has played 178 games and generated 180 points in those games, which is the most ever by a defenseman in the NHL through as many contests. Of Makar’s 28 goals, six were game-winners, and three of those game-winners came in OT, including the highlight reel OT winner against the Blackhawks.
After their playoff elimination against Vegas last year, the Avs entered the season poised to maintain their dominance as Cup Contenders. Despite numerous injuries, the Avs have given us a fantastic regular season. Honestly, we can’t ask for much more.
Except for one thing.
The Avs’ phenomenal year won’t mean anything if we can bring the Cup back to Denver. Records don’t hold much clout if the season ends in disappointment. We can rejoice in the season we have had for a moment… But that period ends now.
The first round commences on Tuesday. Stay tuned for the Avs playoff preview against Nashville.
Players with career-high seasons:
Nicolas Aube-Kubel: G (11), A (12), PTS (23)
Bowen Byram: G (5), A (12), PTS (17)
Andre Burakovsky: G (22), A (39), PTS (61) J.T. Compher
J.T. Compher: G (18), PTS (33)
Pavel Francouz: SO (2)
Nazem Kadri: A (59) and PTS (87)
Darcy Kuemper: W (37), GP (57) Artturi Lehkonen:
Artturi Lehkonen: G (19) and PTS (38) Kurtis MacDermid
Kurtis MacDermid: GP (58)
Cale Makar: G (28), A (58), PTS (86) Alex Newhook:
Alex Newhook: G (13), A (20), PTS (33)
Valeri Nichushkin: G (25), A (27), PTS (52)
Logan O'Connor: G (8), A (16), PTS (24)
Mikko Rantanen: G (36), A (56) PTS (92) Nico Sturm
Nico Sturm: A (11), PTS (20)
Devon Toews: G (13), A (44), PTS (57)