Avs are on a roll

Conner Pickett, Staff Writer

The Colorado Avalanche had a promising 2023 season, with a talented roster and a strong start to the year. Led by assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon, the team looked poised for success.

 

One of the biggest stories of the season was the breakout performance of young defenseman Cale Makar. Makar, who was just 24 years old at the start of the season, quickly established himself as one of the top  defensemen in the NHL. He was a key part of the Avalanche’s power play and was a driving force behind their strong defensive play. Makar finished the season with 64 points in 68 games, a remarkable feat for a defenseman.

 

The Avalanche also benefited from the strong play of goaltender Philipp Grubauer. Grubauer, who had struggled in previous seasons, bounced back in a big way in 2023. He posted a .925 save percentage and a 2.18 goals against average, both career bests. Grubauer’s stellar play in net helped the Avalanche win several close games throughout the season.

 

Offensively, the Avalanche were led by MacKinnon, who had another outstanding season. He finished the year with 105 points in 76 games, good for fifth in the league. MacKinnon was a constant threat on the ice, using his speed and skill to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates.

 

One of the biggest surprises of the season was the play of newcomer Alex Newhook. The 21-year-old center was drafted by the Avalanche in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in 2023. Newhook quickly established himself as a reliable two-way player and was a key part of the Avalanche’s penalty kill. He finished the season with 37 points in 72 games and looks to be a big part of the team’s future.

 

Despite their strong play throughout the regular season, the Avalanche struggled big time at the start. however They began to become better and better as the season went on. leading into playoffs they have definitely turned their season for the best winning 8 straight. The Avs finished with a record of 51 wins and 24 losses with 7 overtime losses on the season. so it is looking good for the Avs going into the 2023 playoffs to defend their title of the stanley cup(lord stanly).

 

In conclusion, the Colorado Avalanche had a strong 2022-2023 season with lots of ups and downs. The team has a bright future going into the playoffs with a talented roster and several young players who look ready to make an impact. Fans should be excited for what’s to come in the 2023 playoffs and the future of this organization.