Last summer, we introduced over/under to take a look at a single Colorado Avalanche player, a number, and whether they’d pass that number or fall short. We’ll do more of that this month as we wait (and wait) for the season to start, but today, we’ll focus on the team as a whole.

Oddsmakers like the chances of the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup this year, as DraftKings had given them the fourth-best odds to win it all in 2024/25 just last month, but what do they think they’ll do in the regular season?

Total Points in 2024/25 Regular Season: 102.5

This is the number DraftKings currently has set for the Avalanche next season. Last year, they set the line at 106.5 points, and Colorado just barely hit the over at 107, thanks in large part to that meaningless game against an Edmonton Oilers squad that rested all their good players.

For the record, this is the third highest point total line they have set for any team. Dallas comes in at 103.5, while Edmonton leads the way at 108.5. There were seven NHL teams that hit 109 points last year, so they must be expecting a lot of the top teams to take a step back. It might be a good time to get in and check some betting apps Colorado because I have a feeling they’re shooting low on a lot of teams.

The last time Colorado had less than 103 points (or were on pace to…thanks COVID) was way back during the 2018-19 season, as they snuck into the playoffs at the end of that year in a Wild Card spot. I feel pretty confident in saying that this roster has a heck of a lot more talent than that one. That team had a 20 year old Sam Girard on defense, but the other minute munchers were Tyson Barrie, Erik Johnson, and Nikita Zadorov. Nothing against those guys, but I’d say Cale Makar and Devon Toews are a pretty big upgrade on what those three were back then.

You can’t overlook the loss of Valeri Nichushkin, at least to start the season. No one knows if or when he’ll be back, and that’s a player you cannot easily replace. Gabriel Landeskog might come back, but if he does, no one really knows what type of player he’ll be after two full seasons. When you look at those factors, it’s easy to see why the Avalanche are projecting to pick up less points than they did last season.

But the under? I’m not sure I can go there.

Prediction: Take The Over…But Just Barely

Colorado just barely hit the over last year, and I think they do it again. I just can’t bet against guys like Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen in the regular season until they prove otherwise.

Now, with the way they’re currently built, I don’t think the Avalanche are winning the Central Division next year, but I do see them surpassing 102.5 points. Here’s a few reasons why.

• A full season of Casey Mittelstadt. Yes, maybe I’m more of a believer in him than others, but he’s a legit 2C and they just didn’t have that at all the last two seasons. Even without a 2C, they surpassed 103 points with ease in both of those seasons. I think he’ll make a big difference this coming season at even strength.
• Alexandar Georgiev can’t be that wildly inconsistent again…right? Right?!? Colorado picked up 107 points and their goaltender, who played 75% of their games, didn’t even stop 90% of the shots sent his way. If he’s even just a little bit better, the Avalanche should be fine, at least in the regular season. He’s entering a contract year, so he’ll have plenty of reasons to turn it around.

Again, this is regular season. I’m a little more skeptical on how this team will do come playoff time, but that’s because there are a few question marks surrounding this team right now. My opinion could swing either direction based on what happens with Nichushkin and Landeskog.

What are your expectations for the team next season?