Will the Avalanche win the cup in 2022?

Is this the year that the Avalanche finally win the STANLEY CUP again????

Now let me start off by saying I am the biggest avs fan. I have been a fan since they were the Nordiques, thanks to them drafting former Portland Winterhawk, Adam Deadmarsh. I cried along with everyone else when Bourque won the cup in 2001, and I have been waiting for the next cup. Since 2001, they still have not been back to the cup final and the wait needs to end. They have had some really great teams, but have also ran into hot teams, injuries, bad play etc. Let’s revisit each season since their last cup and then discuss whether they will do it this year.

2001-02 99 points lost in the conference finals

2002-03 105 points lost in the 1st round

2003-04 100 points lost in the 2nd round

2004-05 lockout year

2005-06 95 points lost in the 2nd round

2006-07 95 points missed playoffs

2007-08 95 points lost in the 2nd round

2008-09 69 points missed playoffs

2009-10 95 points lost in the 1st round

2010-11 68 points missed playoffs

2011-12 88 points missed playoffs

2012-13 39 points lockout missed playoffs

2013-14 112 points lost 1st round

2014-15 90 points missed playoffs

2015-16 82 points missed playoffs

2016-17 48 points missed playoffs

2017-18 95 points lost in the 1st round

2018-19 90 points lost in the 2nd round

2019-20 92 points lost in the 2nd round

2020-21 82 points shortened due to the vid lost in the 2nd round

As you can see above, there is a mixed bag of seasons since their cup win. They have had some good years as well as a lot of very bad years including 2016-17, that was the rock bottom for them. However, since that year, they have made the playoffs every year and it looks likely they will make it again for a fifth straight year. That will be the most years in a row they have made the playoffs since they won the cup.

As an Avs fan of course I want them to win the cup this year, just like every year. Looking from the outside in I have to ask the question, can they actually win the cup this year. The resounding answer is yes. They have been a cup favorite the last few years, but have not been able to seal the deal. What it came down to the last few years as well as this year will rely on two major factors; injuries and goaltending.

I would venture to say they should have won the cup last year if it was not for all the injuries. Now for this year, I will say I am not super confident in our goaltending situation.

Darcy Kuemper 21-5-2

Pavel Francouz 7-1-0

Now looking at wins and losses you would be excited and of course they have good stats the team in front of them is amazing. Now let us look at the other key stats and evaluate from there.

Darcy Kuemper 2.55 GAA .915sv%

Pavel Francouz 2.29 GAA .9217sv%

It looks like Pavel has better overall stats, but Kuemper has also played more games so there is that. The most concerning thing is this. Can Kuemper step it up in the playoffs, or does Pavel have enough experience to lead the avs to the cup? We have seen teams ride a hot goalie to a cup before, like the Kings and Quick in 2012. If the avs’ offense has an off night, are either one of these goalies elite enough to steal a game? That is one major question that will have to be answered if the avs want to at least make it to their first conference final since….2001-02.

The next major question is can the avs stay healthy in the playoffs? That is the question for every team, but it seems the last few years key injuries have taken the avs out of the playoffs. Right now besides Mackinnon, who looks to have a broken nose, the avs are pretty healthy. Kadri is having a career year and he needs to bring that grit and scoring to the playoffs. Landy and Mikko are of course their usual dangerous selves and Makar is just insane right now. If we can stay healthy and one of the goaltenders just plays slightly above average, there is a good chance this is the year the avs finally win the cup. We will see come playoff time if they can step it up and make good on all of the expectations. I do not want to hold my breath, but avs nation is ready to go all the way.