The Colorado Avalanche currently sit at the top of the NHL standings, appearing as a dominant force rather than a fluke. With 21 points and the best points percentage of .750, they lead the league clearly. While this might seem straightforward, how they reached this position might cause some to hesitate before declaring them the best.
A detailed look at the stats reveals the Avalanche are clearly the NHL's class of the moment. Their level of dominance could actually be underestimated at this stage of the season.
“The group has come together, guys are playing well and are committed to the systems that (Jared Bednar) has put in place,” said Avs defenseman Josh Manson. “It just feels like things are clicking pretty easily right now. We’ve even seen moments where our game has gone to, like, another level. I don’t think we’ve been at that level in the majority of the games, just some flashes of what can be. It feels like a fun group to be part of. We know it’s fun and want to keep it going.”
Officially, the Avalanche have lost 43% of their games, which might seem odd given their standing. Ten teams in the NHL have more than eight wins, and seeing five regulation losses might lead some to believe the Avalanche have been lucky to earn some consolation points. However, their consistent play and system commitment prove otherwise.
The Avalanche combine strong focus, consistent system play, and good health, positioning them as the NHL's top team at this time.