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Colorado Avalanche

Center Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche pushes to the goal while defenseman Shea Theodore (27) of the Vegas Golden Knights pursues him during the third period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

With or without Cale Makar, Avalanche need more offense from its stars to have a chance in this Western Conference Final

The Colorado Avalanche's process has made this team successful over a very long period of time, but time is now running out for the results to match.

Defenseman Sam Malinski (70) of the Colorado Avalanche looks to pass past left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

How Golden Knights left Avalanche stunned with 2 season-changing goals in 2 minutes

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Was Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic’s MVP window just slammed shut by Victor Wembanyama?

Head coach Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche talks to players during the second period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Keeler: Avalanche power play vs. Vegas looks like Sean Payton script: Pass, pass, pass, punt

Defenseman Dylan Coghlan (52) of the Vegas Golden Knights blows up right wing Logan O'Connor (25) of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

PHOTOS: Vegas Golden Knights stun the Colorado Avalanche, winning Game 2 of the NHL Western Conference Final 3-1.

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Goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) of the Colorado Avalanche blocks a shot during the second period of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Without Cale Makar, Avalanche ‘just weren’t sharp’ offensively in Game 1 loss to Golden Knights

Logan O’Connor came within an inch of opening the Western Conference Final scoring in the first period Wednesday night.

Nathan MacKinnon

Goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) of the Colorado Avalanche reacts to being scored on by defenseman Dylan Coghlan (52) of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Golden Knights stun Cale Makar-less Avalanche in Game 1, steal home ice in Western Conference Final

The Colorado Avalanche led from the front all season in the NHL. Now the Avs need to come back to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

NHL draft

Filip Gustavsson (32) of the Minnesota Wild swats away a puck during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Wild switching goalies for Game 2 of Stanley Cup Playoffs series, Avalanche coach mum on his starter

Filip Gustavsson will replace Jesper Wallstedt in the net Tuesday night for the Wild at Ball Arena. Wallstedt allowed eight goals in a 9-6 Colorado win in Game 1.

college hockey

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) skates with the puck while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes ready for showdown between NHL’s two best defensemen in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar made their NHL debuts 18 days apart. A little more than seven years later, it's time for their first Stanley Cup Playoffs showdown.