Special Teams Key to Avalanche Climbing Western Conference

Nov 7, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Special Teams Key to Avalanche Climbing Western Conference

Originally posted on Colorado Avalanche On SI
By Tyler Miller | Last updated Nov 10, 2026 10:00 AM ET

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The Colorado Avalanche are recently coming off of a 4-0 shutout victory over the Detroit Red Wings where a big reason why they won was their power play. But entering Sunday where the Avalanche had the day off, their power play ranked at number 11.

But when it comes to their penalty kill, their unit ranked at number 15. And if the Avalanche and head coach Jared Bednar and stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas want to reach the top of the west, those units need to improve.

The Avalanche are usually known for having a lethal powerplay that could hurt teams at any time. And it showed in the victory over the Red Wings. But the penalty kill also needs work as being 15th is basically the middle of the pack.

Bednar and the staff need to find a way to improve both special teams units if they want to contend for the Stanley Cup in 2026-27.

Special teams are a huge part of what make up a lot of hockey games and are a big reason why hockey games are won and lost.

Avalanche Could Cement Themselves As West Contenders if Others Step Up on Power Play

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The usual suspects that Bednar employs on the first unit are not the only ones that need to be contributing on the scoresheet.

Guys like Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and TJ Hughes among others are guys that can also put the puck in the back of the net on any given night.

But with the Avalanche being so top heavy in their lineup especially for how lethal they can be, it seems like the depth has not been stepping up enough.

Maybe a change of the units, as to where the talent is spread out, and both units are even in terms of shots and goal scoring, could do the trick.

Being 11th in the league on the power play is pretty good for the team that Colorado has built this season. But those numbrs could always improve and be better and Bednar and crew definitely know it.

Colorado is a team that should want to be in the top 10 if not the top 5 when it comes to their power play. They know what they are capable of, they know that they can put the puck in the net frequently, they know how to do their job and know how to do it well. It is just on the players to execute.

This article first appeared on Colorado Avalanche On SI and was syndicated with permission.

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