# Avalanche Start Struggles, But Stanley Cup Focus

> Colorado Avalanche start season with 5-4-1 record but aim for Stanley Cup despite rocky early games.
- Title: Avalanche Start Struggles, But Stanley Cup Focus | Shortify
- Summary: Colorado Avalanche start season with 5-4-1 record but aim for Stanley Cup despite rocky early games. Colorado Avalanche have 5-4-1 record with 11 points tied…
- Keywords: colorado avalanche, central division, presidents trophy, stanley cup, nhl, hockey, mackenzie blackwood, scott wedgewood, brett mclean, power play, faceoff percentage, logan oconnor
- Source: Colorado Avalanche On SI — https://si.com/nhl/avalanche/onsi/news/familiar-ground-with-fractured-start-avalanche-searching-momentum
- Published: 2026-10-22T01:03:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: colorado avalanche, central division, presidents trophy, stanley cup, nhl, hockey, mackenzie blackwood, scott wedgewood, brett mclean, power play, faceoff percentage, logan oconnor
## Avalanche Record
Colorado Avalanche have 5-4-1 record with 11 points tied for third in Central Division.
## Early Season Challenges
Team shows strong 5-on-5 play but lacks defensive prowess and power play results.
## Historical Start Patterns
Avalanche started seasons with 4-5-1, 5-4-1, 7-3-0, 5-5-0, 5-1-4, and 5-4-1 records.
## Injury Impact
Injuries have kept Logan O'Connor, Nicolas Roy, and Zachary L'Heureux out of lineup.
## Recent Performance
Team played their worst two games in career since rookie season with Nathan MacKinnon.
## Offseason Adjustments
Team made adjustments to forward group but injuries slowed team integration.
## Defensive Issues
Avalanche are 22nd in team faceoff percentage at 50.8% with 35% win rate.
## Power Play Coaching
Brett McLean's power play coaching has three games of improvement but not meeting expectations.
## Defensive Struggles
Defensive errors lead to games getting away but Blackwood and Wedgewood keep teams in overtime.
## Season Outlook
74 games remain in season with Avalanche history of overcoming rocky starts.
## Playoff Focus
Avalanche prioritize Stanley Cup over Presidents' Trophy for success.
## Key takeaway

Colorado Avalanche have 5-4-1 record with 11 points tied for third in Central Division but seek Stanley Cup over Presidents' Trophy.