Eighteen games into the 2025-26 season, the Avalanche lead the league without any signs of slowing down. The simple explanation is highly-skilled players, but that is only part of the secret to their success.
A consistently healthy lineup makes a difference, and there have been few injuries so far this season. The team has showcased its depth as lines have shifted — either due to injury or trying to find chemistry — and the next-man-up mentality has kept this team rolling.
With Valeri Nichushkin out due to a lower-body injury, head coach Jared Bednar moved Gavin Brindley to the second line with Brock Nelson and Ross Colton against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. Brindley scored his fourth goal of the season and earned an assist on Nelson’s goal.
“It was tough kind of getting thrown in the mix there, and not really playing with them at all this year. It was great. A lot of fun. We played with a lot of pace, and thought it was pretty successful for the most part,” Brindley said. “They both think the game at a really high level, so it makes my job pretty easy.”
Colton got the primary assist on Nelson’s goal with Brindley and adjusted to his new linemate quite quickly.
“It’s been fun. He just plays with a good amount of energy, plays with pace, and he’s getting comfortable.
“Getting some games under my belt now with Brock, trying to form chemistry with him, and then whoever’s playing with who, just getting practice reps … like today, just get some practice reps and some 5-on-5 stuff to work some stuff out.”
A few forward and defense replacements have been recalled from the Colorado Eagles to fill needed holes, none of whom have been disappointing. It is good to have an excess of depth when the season can be unpredictable.
How Landeskog has made the Avs a better team
Leadership is crucial to Colorado’s achievements, especially with the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog.
“He’s such a vocal leader. He says the right things at the right times. He fights, he kills penalties, he’s good on the power play, like name something that he doesn’t do. He does it all,” Colton said. “For me personally, it’s been awesome just to be around him, trying to be a sponge with everything he does. He carries himself like such a pro and the weight that he carries in this room is pretty special. Just having him around has been unbelievable.”
Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews and other leaders play a huge role with the team. But Landeskog’s presence has made an exceptional impact.
“It’s big. I don’t want to say I told you so, but I told you so. It makes a difference,” Bednar said with a laugh. “The impact that he has on our room, it’s a big difference … it’s helped keep everyone focused on the right things, keep us committed to the right things … he’s an important player for us for more than a couple of reasons.”
Avs work hard, play hard and have fun doing it
The Avs pride themselves on hard work and dedication. Winning games makes it easier to have fun and stay positive, but for veteran Brent Burns, the team’s commitment has been a bit of a surprise.
“It’s definitely been really, really great coming to the rink every day. It’s been a fun group. It’s been a hard-working group, but guys that really do enjoy being together and laughing. It’s a big thing. It’s been awesome.
“The one surprising thing is I’ve never been a later part of the guys at the rink. Even today, I was here way too early because my son played, and there was guys here … it’s unbelievable, and that’s fun to see,” Burns said.
The Avs have a 12-1-5 record through a challenging schedule to start the season. With 64 more games to play, there is still another level to this team.
“Every team around us is going to get better. We’ve started out really good, which is great. We’re getting results, which is great, but we have to improve in every area of our game by the end of the year. Because everyone else will; it’s a guarantee,” Bednar said.
