DENVER — The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday, and it's hard to believe the NHL's Cinderella story is a true contender.
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook set odds to win it all for the 16-team field Monday, and the Avalanche checked in at 40-1, worst in the Western Conference, while its first-round opponent, Nashville, topped the list at 4-1. Media projections for the best-of-seven series from Sporting News, USA Today and Yahoo Sports all predict an easy pass for Nashville — none see Colorado winning more than one game.
The Avalanche, whose 47-point improvement from last season is tied for the fourth-best turnaround in NHL history, understands why some dismiss its chances.