14 hours ago - Sports

Avs return to ice as NHL's top dogs

Esteban L. Hernandez

Ice hockey players from the Colorado Avalanche in white and maroon jerseys celebrating on ice as Toronto Maple Leafs players in blue jerseys watch during a game with fans in background. — Colorado Avalanche players celebrate after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs last month in Toronto. Photo: Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images

The Colorado Avalanche resume NHL play Wednesday, welcoming eight players back from the Winter Olympics, including champion Brock Nelson.

State of play: Six Avs return as medalists, highlighted by Nelson's gold for the U.S., and silver for Canadians Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Devon Toews.

Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Kiviranta earned a bronze for Finland.

Stunning stat: All eight Colorado players who participated in Milan Cortina 2026 scored a goal, 104.3 The Fan reported.

Now it's time for the NHL's top team to come together to end the season with a successful run to the Stanley Cup.

Context: MacKinnon is the team's undisputed leader, and alongside captain Gabriel Landeskog and defensive standout Makar, they will seek to maintain Colorado's dominant season.

The Avs own the best record in the NHL, and will set their sights on the franchise's fourth Presidents' Trophy, handed annually to the team with the best record.

By the numbers: Colorado owns the best odds to win the Stanley Cup, ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, per FanDuel.

What's next: The Avs face the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

Add Axios on Google

Avs return to ice as NHL's top dogs

More Denver stories