Colorado Avalanche Primed for Stanley Cup Playoff Push

Veteran leaders say focus remains unchanged as intensity ramps up for postseason

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, red, and white representing the intense action on the ice.The Colorado Avalanche's postseason focus remains unwavering as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Denver Today

The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for their Stanley Cup Playoff run, with veteran players like Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, and Cale Makar emphasizing that their approach and mindset will not change significantly from the regular season. Head coach Jared Bednar aims to have his team come out firing on all cylinders, without a 'feeling-out process' against the Los Angeles Kings in their first-round matchup.

Why it matters

The Avalanche are one of the top contenders for the Stanley Cup this year, having finished the regular season with a franchise-high point total. Their ability to maintain their focus and intensity level as the stakes rise in the playoffs will be crucial to their chances of capturing the championship.

The details

The Avalanche players say the intensity level naturally rises in the playoffs, but they don't plan to significantly alter their approach. Captain Gabriel Landeskog described feeling an 'extra energy' this time of year, while star center Nathan MacKinnon and veteran forward Nazem Kadri both stated their mindset remains largely unchanged. Defenseman Cale Makar acknowledged his focus and mindset become 'more elevated' in the playoffs, but the overall approach stays consistent. Head coach Jared Bednar wants his team to 'hit the ground running' against the Kings, avoiding any early 'feeling-out process' and instead imposing their will from the opening puck drop.

  • The Avalanche face the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the first round on Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 1 p.m.

The players

Gabriel Landeskog

The 33-year-old Avalanche captain who says the team's focus remains unchanged heading into the playoffs.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Avalanche's star center, known for his naturally high-intensity play that does not change in the postseason.

Nazem Kadri

A veteran Avalanche forward who maintains a consistent approach regardless of whether it's the regular season or playoffs.

Cale Makar

The Avalanche's star defenseman, who acknowledges his focus and mindset become 'more elevated' in the playoffs.

Jared Bednar

The Avalanche's head coach, who wants his team to 'hit the ground running' against the Kings without a 'feeling-out process'.

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What they’re saying

“The regular season is long, and then you get to the end of it, and now, obviously a new season is upon us. So it's exciting. You feel a little bit like you've been injected with some extra energy, which is exciting.”

— Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche Captain

“No different really, same. Everyone ramps it up, but I wouldn't say I change it a lot.”

— Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche Center

“Nope, not at all. I mean, I think your focus maybe elevates a little bit and your concentration goes up. But I think you know if you want to be a big time player, I think you have to approach every game similar as a big game. So I don't think it changes much.”

— Nazem Kadri, Avalanche Forward

“As you go, your mindset just continues to change throughout the season. And for me, it's just more elevated, a little bit. Playoffs just means that much more. So every little thing is going to matter, every inch counts. So yeah, it's fun.”

— Cale Makar, Avalanche Defenseman

“I'd rather dial them back when the game starts and have to dial them up. That's where I always lay with that. I want us to come out and play with energy and impose their will on the Kings. Part of our game will be to make sure we're using our speed and our relentlessness to put them under pressure. The excitement and the energy that we should have for drop of the puck tomorrow night is what I want. I really don't want a feeling-out process here. I want us to hit the ground running, so I think that'll come naturally to our team.”

— Jared Bednar, Avalanche Head Coach

What’s next

The Avalanche and Kings will face off in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. in Denver.

The takeaway

The Colorado Avalanche appear primed for a deep playoff run, with their veteran leaders emphasizing a consistent, focused approach despite the heightened intensity of the postseason. Their ability to maintain this mindset and impose their will on opponents from the opening puck drop will be crucial as they pursue the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship since 2001.