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The Colorado Avalanche have emerged as the team to beat in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, as they move on to round 2.

The Colorado Avalanche will finally be heading back to the ice in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Avs swept their first-round series against the LA Kings, then had to wait for the winner of the Minnesota Wild-Dallas Stars matchup.

That matchup, which featured two of the Western Conference’s heavyweights, emerged with the Wild moving on to the next round.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers found themselves on the short end of the stick. Their first-round elimination left them searching for answers. And it removed another major heavyweight from the Western Conference field.

It’s not that the remaining teams are somehow inferior. But the Presidents’ Trophy winners stand as the team to beat in the NHL playoffs at this point.

The reasoning behind that assertion lies in how the Avalanche led the NHL standings from start to finish this season. Save for a couple of bumps along the way, the Colorado Avalanche is the deepest team in the league at the moment.

That’s something that the Wild will hope to stack up against. However, the jury is still out on the Wild’s ability to hang with Colorado. The first two games should shed some light on the situation. A good start to the series could put the Wild in the same conversation as the Avalanche.

But if the Wild fall behind early, it may be tough for the Wild to get back into the series.

Colorado Avalanche Likely to Face Toughest Opponent in Wild

The Wild likely represent the Colorado Avalanche’s toughest playoff opponent. When looking at the rest of the Western Conference field, it makes sense.

Minnesota and Colorado split the season series. Each team won a 3-2 game in the shootout, while splitting decisive victories.

That said, the Avalanche took two of three matchups against the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks in the regular season. While regular-season success does not necessarily translate to playoff victories, judging from this year’s contests, it’s plausible to assume that the toughest opponent for Colorado will be Minnesota.

If and when the Avs get past Minnesota, the Western Conference Final might not be quite as daunting. Of course, if there’s one team that could upset the Colorado Avalanche, it’s the Anaheim Ducks.

Ducks Could Use Run-and-Gun Style Against Colorado

The Ducks play a high-tempo possession style of game. That situation made it tough for the Oilers to keep up in the first round. It remains to be seen if the Golden Knights can shut down the Ducks the way they did the Utah Mammoth.

Now, assuming the Ducks make it all the way to the Western Conference Final, the Colorado Avalanche could run into a tough out. The Avalanche were the NHL’s best defensive team during the regular season.

But one has to think that the Ducks, with their youth and skill, could make life tough for Colorado.

Also, the Golden Knights and their championship pedigree have the firepower and the experience to knock the Colorado Avalanche out of the NHL playoffs.

Be that as it may, the Avalanche remain the team to beat in the postseason at this point. They have a clear path to the Stanley Cup Final, so it will be up to any of the remaining Western Conference opponents to have a say in that.