Exploring the Impact of a 3-2-1 Point System on the Avalanche’s Season

The Colorado Avalanche’s 2025-26 season was a mixed bag of triumph and disappointment. While the team dominated the regular season, setting franchise records with a stellar performance, their playoff journey ended in a heartbreaking collapse against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals. Such a finish left fans and analysts alike pondering what could have been.

But what if the NHL adopted a different point system? Specifically, what if the league implemented the 3-2-1 point structure currently used in the PWHL? This system allocates three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime or shootout win, one for an overtime or shootout loss, and none for a regulation loss. The implications of such a change could be significant for the Avalanche and the league as a whole.

Under the proposed 3-2-1 system, the Avalanche’s impressive record of 55-16-11 would translate into a staggering 169 points, with their tally reflecting 48 regulation wins, 16 losses, seven overtime or shootout victories, and 11 overtime or shootout defeats. This new total would not only shatter previous franchise records but would also set a new precedent in the NHL, eclipsing the Boston Bruins’ record of 135 points from the 2022-23 season.

Implementing this point structure could change the landscape of the playoffs significantly. For instance, the top eight teams from last season would have a different composition under the new system. Notably, the Los Angeles Kings, who had relied heavily on overtime with 13 wins and 18 losses in that format, would find themselves on the outside looking in, overtaken by the St. Louis Blues. This shift highlights the potential for new playoff contenders to emerge if they can secure regulation wins while still capitalizing on overtime opportunities.

In contrast to the NHL’s current system, which rewards teams for reaching extra time, other leagues typically grant a win and a loss without additional points for overtime play. This distinction raises intriguing questions about how the NHL might evolve. Many fans, myself included, advocate for a return to a 1v8 playoff format, but perhaps the first step towards that goal would be refining how teams earn their playoff berths. The 3-2-1 point system could be the catalyst for such a transformation.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.