Paul Klee, sports editor

Avalanche-Kings series: Avs over Kings in 4

Sweep L.A. The Avalanche made quick work of the Kings during the regular season, averaging over four goals in a three-game sweep. The real test comes in Round 2 vs. the Minnesota Wild or those pesky Dallas Stars. 

Western Conference final: Avs over Oilers in 7

The Oilers are postseason bullies, reaching at least the conference finals in three of the past four years. Look out this time around, too, since they allowed only five goals across their last four games. 

Eastern Conference final: Penguins over Lightning in 7 

OK, so this is a sentimental pick. But what could be better than good buds Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon facing off in the Stanley Cup final? Pittsburgh’s ‘D’ catches up to its fiery ‘O’ for a surprise run.

Stanley Cup final: Avs over Penguins in 5

There’s real pressure on Jared Bednar and the most talented Colorado roster since the Stanley Cup champs of 2022. There’s also a real big gap between the Avs and most of the NHL. Talk about championship-or-bust.

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Mark Kiszla, sports columnist

Avs-Kings series: Avs over Kings in 6

Avs get reminded early what a long, tough road it is to Exit 16W to hoist the Cup. The Kings won’t beat ’em, but they just might put a healthy scare into Colorado, much the same as last season, when L.A. battled Edmonton in the first round before falling.

Western Conference final: Avs over Golden Knights in 6

We’re going to Vegas, baby! But before the Avs get there and dispose of a Las Vegas club that appears to have found new life (and a more solid defense) with the late-season switch to John Tortorella on the bench, let me drop a little surprise on you. It’s Minnesota, not Dallas, that Colorado will beat in Round 2.

Eastern Conference final: Lightning over Senators in 6

It would be easy to give you chalk. The Lightning and Hurricanes look to be the class of the East. But we love the NHL playoffs because playoff hockey has a wonderful habit of going wackadoodle. Ottawa has been hot since the Olympic break, and if the Senators can actually get solid goaltending? Look out.

Stanley Cup final: Avs over Lightning in 6

From top to bottom, Colorado hasn’t looked so ready to win it all since 2022, when the Avs partied with the Cup in Tampa. Provided they don’t get tripped up by a silly goaltending controversy or bad injury luck, there’s every reason to believe this is the year for the Avs to win a chip again.

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Evan Rawal, Avalanche reporter

Avalanche-Kings series: Avs over Kings in 5

Sweeps are very difficult to pull off in the postseason, and while the style of play the Kings use might make this series a little tighter on a game-to-game basis, Colorado’s superior skill level will win out.

Western Conference final: Avs over Golden Knights in 7

All Vegas needed was a little goaltending, and in a subpar Pacific bracket, they have the best odds of getting to this point. They’ll give the Avalanche a run for their money, but Cale Makar is the difference in this series.

Eastern Conference final: Sabres over Senators in 6

The East is a crapshoot, and those pesky Sabres find a way to ride this crazy PDO bender they’ve been on all the way past the rest of the conference.

Stanley Cup final: Avs over Sabres in 5

It’s been a magical season in Buffalo, but the magic has to end at some point. The Avalanche have been on a mission since the start of training camp back in September and they aren’t going to stop until they’re lifting Lord Stanley in the middle of June.

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Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor

Avalanche-Kings series: Avs over Kings in 5

History will not repeat itself, as this series will be much easier for the Avs than the two previous seven-game matchups with the Kings. Colorado beat Los Angeles in 2001 on its way to a Stanley Cup and this will be the start of the same journey.

Western Conference final: Avs over Oilers in 6

Another rematch for the Avs from a previous Cup run. Colorado took out Connor McDavid and the Oilers on their way to the 2022 title and will have to do it again. This go-around, with the Avs’ improved goaltending, we won’t see an 8-6 and 6-5 game.

Eastern Conference final: Hurricanes over Sabres in 7

The Hurricanes lost in two of the last three conference finals, but finally get over the hump here. It will take everything Carolina has to get past the surprising Buffalo Sabres, who see their dream season end.

Stanley Cup final: Avs over Hurricanes in 6

The Marty Necas revenge series goes the Avs’ way as Colorado wins another Stanley Cup. The Avalanche have been the best team all season and anything less than a Cup will feel like a disappointment.

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Kyle Fredrickson, Broncos reporter

Avalanche-Kings series: Avs over Kings in 4

Get your broomsticks out! The Avalanche open with four straight wins to prove it’s a force to be reckoned with this postseason. Momentum from a dominant regular season spills over into the playoffs with Colorado cruising to a first-round win.

Western Conference final: Avs over Golden Knights in 6

There is no better gift in the Stanley Cup playoffs than elite goaltending. Lockdown performances in net from Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood pave the way for a third-round series win over the Golden Knights.

Eastern Conference final: Flyers over Sabres in 7

Who doesn’t love a comeback story? Philadelphia missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons before a breakout in 2026. The Flyers have a young talented core under veteran head coach Rick Tocchet and are poised to make a special run.

Stanley Cup final: Flyers over Avalanche in 7

It wouldn’t be right if every single person on this panel picked the Avalanche to win it all. It sure feels like the stars are aligning for Colorado. But a Presidents’ Trophy winner has not won the Stanley Cup since 2013. The odds might not be in the Avs’ favor.