The Colorado Avalanche started the 2025-26 season on fire, blazing through the first three months with a league-best 30-2-7 record. However, things have cooled off since then, and their recent struggles are raising some eyebrows.
Their most challenging defeat came against the New York Islanders on December 4, with a 6-3 loss. Since January, the Avalanche have dropped nine games, with a combined score of 18-40, including three instances where they allowed seven goals. This defensive lapse is certainly concerning.
As we hit the Olympic break, it's a good time to dive into the slumps some key Avalanche players are facing. Valeri Nichushkin hasn't found the back of the net in four games.
Cale Makar, Martin Necas, and Victor Olofsson are each on a six-game goalless streak. Nathan MacKinnon has managed just five goals over his last 15 games.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog scored twice between December 11 and January 2 before an unfortunate injury. Joel Kiviranta and Ross Colton have each scored only two goals in their last 28 and 29 games, respectively.
The Olympics offered a reprieve for some, with MacKinnon, Makar, Necas, Kiviranta, and Landeskog getting a chance to shake off the rust in Italy. MacKinnon, in particular, shone with three power-play goals across five games. This experience could be pivotal as they gear up to rejoin the Avalanche lineup on February 25 against the Utah Mammoth.
Interestingly, while the Olympic Avs thrived on the power play, their Colorado counterparts have struggled to find similar success. As these players return, their Olympic insights could be invaluable for head coach Dave Hakstol and the power play units. It's crucial they figure this out, or they risk an early playoff exit.
Currently, the Avalanche's lead in the Central Division is down to five points, although they have three games in hand over the Minnesota Wild. With 27 games left in the regular season, it's not time to hit the panic button just yet. A reset might be all they need, and the hope is that the Olympic stint will help these players return to their peak performance.