Hot Avalanche start means leap in NHL power rankings, behind only two teams

The Colorado Avalanche still haven’t lost in regulation this season.

The Avs cruised past the Columbus Blue Jackets by a final score of 4-1 on Thursday night, moving to 4-0-1 on the year. Their nine points are easily first in the Western Conference in the very early going of the 2025-26 season.

It was also nice to see Colorado’s second-line get rolling, as Valeri Nichushkin scored twice and Brock Nelson added his first tally of the season. Cale Makar also had a goal in his 400th career NHL games and goaltender Scott Wedgewood allowed just one goal for the fourth time in five starts.

Yes, the Avalanche are hot, and the rest of the league is taking notice.

ESPN released its first regular season power rankings on Friday, and Colorado jumped three spots to No. 3 in the NHL. The Avs slotted in at No. 6 in the preseason rankings.

“Admirably balanced altogether, this roster features one of the most dangerous forwards in Nathan MacKinnon and the game’s best defender, Cale Makar. Their 4-0-1 record through five games doesn’t serve as a turnoff either,” ESPN wrote, while also liking a +900 pick for the Avalanche to win the Stanley Cup.

MacKinnon and Makar are beasts, as evidenced by ESPN ranking them in the top-3 players in the league earlier this week.

Through five games, MacKinnon has eight points (four goals, four assists) while Makar has seven (two goals, five assists).

The only two teams ranked in front of Colorado are the Carolina Hurricanes at No. 1 and the Dallas Stars at No. 2. Unfortunately, old friend Mikko Rantanen and the Stars handed the Avalanche their only loss of the season in a shootout last weekend.

We’ve only just begun, that’s obvious, but this Colorado team looks motivated. And it wouldn’t be a shock to see them at No. 1 in the power rankings sooner rather than later.

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