Ranking the 10 Worst Playoff Series Losses in Avalanche History – Hockey Writers – Colorado Avalanche

The immediate aftermath of the team’s Game 4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights involved a lot of “What if” for Colorado Avalanche fans. Some are looking for an immediate change while others are looking at the next season as an opportunity to redeem this talented team.

Although the heartache is still fresh, we thought it would be a good time to pour salt on those wounds. What is the worst playoff series loss the Avalanche have suffered in their 30-year history? Here is the worst of the worst.

10.) 2014 Quarterfinals (Lost in 7 Games to Minnesota)

A young, overachieving team led by Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene somehow managed to win the Central Division by 112 points. The home team managed to win the first six games of the series before the Wild stole Game 7 with Nino Niederreiter’s overtime winner, ending the Avalanche’s feel-good season.

9.) 2020 Second Round (Lost in 7 Games to Dallas)

The COVID season has been an odd one with nearly two-thirds of the league reaching the “bubble playoffs.” The Avalanche easily handled the Arizona Coyotes in the first round before losing to the Stars in the second round in Game 7 (they’ll be making a few appearances on this list). Ironically, it would be future Avalanche Joel Kiviranta who hit the dagger in overtime.

8.) 2003 Quarterfinals (Lost in 7 Games to Minnesota)

One of the last great Avalanche of the early 2000’s. Peter Forsberg had won the Art Ross and would go on to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP. Milan Hejduk captured the Rocket Richard Trophy. Yet the lasting memory will be Av Andrew Brunette’s overtime winner that ends the career of goaltender Patrick Roy in the first round.

7.) 2021 Semifinals (Lost in 6 Games to Vegas)

In their second season affected by COVID, the Avalanche looked poised to make a run at the championship after a disappointing second round loss to the Stars last year. Instead, the Avalanche ran into the already successful Golden Knights, knocking them out in six games. It was like one of those “ever?” times for a young, talented team from Colorado.

6.) 1999 Conference Finals (Lost in 7 Games to Dallas)

The late 1990s is a “what if?” series for the Avalanche. The Stars, Avalanche, and Red Wings were fighting for the conference, and this was a seven-game battle. The Avalanche took a 3-2 lead in the series before losing back-to-back decisions 4-1 in the eventual championship.

5.) 2004 Semifinals (Lost in 6 Games to San Jose)

This was one of the most downloaded programs ever. Forsberg, Hejduk, Joe Sakic, Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne, Rob Blake, and Adam Foote were supposed to lead the way to another tournament. Instead, they bowed out to the young but talented San Jose Sharks in what is arguably the most disappointing season in Avalanche history.

4.) 2025 Quarterfinals (Lost in 7 Games to Dallas)

This stung for many reasons. After a rough start to the season, the Avalanche rallied to finish with 102 points in the crowded Central Division. Their prize was the packed Stars with former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen leading the way. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in Game 7, the Avalanche watched Rantanen hit a three-pointer in the third period to put the Stars away.

3.) 1997 Conference Final (Lost in 6 Games to Detroit)

This was probably the length that could be asked i competition of the 1990s. The Avalanche were the defending champions, but the Red Wings had won “Fight Night at the Joe.” The Presidents Trophy-winning Avalanche couldn’t stop what felt like fate, falling to their rivals in the Western Conference Finals.

2.) 2026 Conference Finals (Lost in 4 Games to Vegas)

The Avalanche swept the championship in the regular season, winning the President’s Trophy for the fourth time in franchise history. After beating Minnesota in five games, it felt like the Stanley Cup was inevitable. Instead, a four-game sweep at the hands of the Golden Knights left everyone with a bitter taste in their mouths.

1.) 2002 Conference Final (Lost in 7 Games to Detroit)

The fifth meeting in the playoffs between the two biggest rivals and perhaps the last really good series in this rivalry. Forsberg returned from missing the entire regular season to lead the playoffs in scoring. The Avalanche had a 3-2 lead, but Roy’s failed “Liberty Stamp” in Game 6 is a lasting memory. The Avalanche never recovered, being beaten in Game 7 as the Red Wings won their third Stanley Cup in the competition.

A lot of heartache and disappointment

If anything, there could be a positive spin put on all of this. The Avalanche have been very good with their presence and found themselves in a position to achieve greatness with one or two lucky bounces. It also shows that the Avalanche were on top several times and allowed it to pass through their grasp.