For a brief period, the Colorado Avalanche appeared vulnerable. However, they’ve rebounded with a vengeance. The Avalanche have triumphed in five straight games and seven out of their last eight following a rough patch where they were 5-7-2. They emerged victorious in all three games during Week 20, overpowering the red-hot Anaheim Ducks with a 5-1 score, followed by shootout wins over the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild, who trail them in the Western Conference standings.

As a result, Colorado holds a seven-point lead over Dallas in the chase for the Presidents’ Trophy and is ten points clear of Minnesota. In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes are nine points behind the Avalanche.

Likewise, the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets both achieved a 3-0-0 record in Week 20. However, the Buffalo Sabres had the most remarkable week, winning all four games to extend their winning streak to seven.

The Sabres clinched a thrilling victory against their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in potentially the Game of the Year, overcoming a 7-5 deficit to win 8-7.

Dallas and Minnesota both recorded 2-0-1 last week, with several other teams performing well but narrowly missing the top 10 in the rankings. The Utah Grizzlies and the Ottawa Senators also fared well by securing three wins and an overtime loss, while the Columbus Blue Jackets registered a 2-0-2 record.

Only the Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs failed to win in Week 20. The Kraken, despite their losses, still hold a wild-card position in the West, whereas the Maple Leafs are slipping further from playoff probabilities, managing a disappointing 0-2-1 record.

As the season progresses, we will continue to provide insights into the top 10 teams in the league, focusing on their performances and achievements, as well as providing insightful synopses regarding their rankings entering Week 21.