[https://coloradohockeynow.com/2023/08/08/top-5-goals-in-colorado-avalanche-history/](https://coloradohockeynow.com/2023/08/08/top-5-goals-in-colorado-avalanche-history/)
Evan Rawal ranks the top 5 goals in Avs history in the above article. His rankings seem heavily weighted towards aesthetics, with a regular season goal making the list, and only two goals from Stanley Cup playoff runs. It just got me thinking how differently I’d rank the goals. For me stakes would weigh heavily in the rankings, so it’s going to be dominated by playoff goals from the Cup runs.
HM: Forsberg drags Larionov
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSjYaJfX33w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSjYaJfX33w)
\#2 on Rawal’s list, I’m just giving it an honorable mention here… it was an amazing goal, and stakes wise it was the goal that effectively ended the Red Wings Cup reign. It was the capper on perhaps the Avs most satisfying playoff series win outside the Cup runs… with the two time defending champs taking a 2-0 series lead, then the Avs absolutely dominating the next 4 to take the series in six. It was satisfying to beat the Wings three times on their ice, with this incredible Forsberg effort putting the nail in the Wings coffin.
​
\#5: Forsberg splits Lidstrom
[https://youtu.be/MOlytQxxO7Q](https://youtu.be/MOlytQxxO7Q)
Forsberg had a habit throwing daggers at Detroit in clinching games… in fact all three of the Avs playoff series wins against Detroit featured a Forsberg dagger in the clinching game. I’m giving this one the nod over the above goal because it sent the Avs to their first Cup Final, and it’s not often that Lidstrom would get beat this badly.
​
\#4: Darren Helm gets the Avs over the hump
[https://youtube.com/shorts/HFH8tsFEVuk?feature=share](https://youtube.com/shorts/HFH8tsFEVuk?feature=share)
Putting this one spot higher than Rawal. The history plays into this, with the Avs having been knocked out in the 2nd round three seasons in a row, and them losing in heartbreaking fashion in game 5 to extend the series. This was probably the most tense moment of the Avs third Cup run, as they never really looked back after getting over the hump. That this was a heart breaker for Blues fans was especially sweet given how the prior game ended.
\#3: Krupp wins the Cup
[https://youtu.be/JWv-Q8Nzqz0](https://youtu.be/JWv-Q8Nzqz0)
I don’t get this goal not being on a list of greatest Avs goals even if it wasn’t the most spectacular goal. But it was the moment that Colorado professional sports finally got over the hump. I love playoff OT goals and was tempted to have this list stacked with them, but I can’t leave this one off.
\#2: Kadri puts the Avs on the brink with one hand
[https://youtu.be/-BBczZuZWy0](https://youtu.be/-BBczZuZWy0)
Everything about this goal was legendary. It was a pretty goal. It was one of the most important goals in Avs history, putting them on the brink of winning the Cup when the series could have been tied. And of course the fact that Kadri was returning from an injury that could have ended his playoff run and career with the Avs. He got to return and cement himself as an all time Avs legend.
\#1: Sakic fakes it, takes it, scores
[https://youtu.be/CWKU27A2IJE](https://youtu.be/CWKU27A2IJE)
I’ll agree with Rawal for #1. The dagger goal that won the Avs their 2nd Cup and sent Bourque out on top. A microcosm of what made the franchise’s greatest player so incredible. The Avs won their first Cup so quickly for Colorado fans, they didn’t have to suffer or pine for this feeling very long. But a few playoff disappointments in between, and the stakes of everyone outside of NJ wanting Bourque to go out on top made this victory that much sweeter, and this was the most iconic goal from that entire run.
I could have made a longer list that would have featured a lot of playoff OT goals, but just so I don’t waste any more time I’ll stick to Evan Rawal’s format. A few more honorable mentions though: Ozolinsh’s OT goal that won the series against the Blackhawks in 1996, Sakic’s OT goal that tied the same series at 2-2 (they might not have won the Cup without it), Forsberg’s OT goal that put the Avs up 3-0 on the Canucks in 2001, Drury’s OT goal that put the Avs up 3-1 in 1999, Brunette’s OT goal to win the series against the Stars in 2006, Mackinnon’s OT goal to tie the series against the Flames in 2019, and Lekhonen’s OT goal to send the Avs to the Final in 2022.
What’s your list?
by nmdndgm
8 Comments
Ok but what about Cale Makarās spin-o-rama OT winner against the Blackhawks on a random Wednesday night game in January!!!
Not as significant because they didnāt win but MacKinnonās coast to coast goal agains the Blues was the most spectacular goal Iāve ever watched in the moment. Jaw dropping.
Would like to toss in Lehkyās clinching goal for consideration but hey these are all spectacular
If we had won Game 5 against St. Louis, MacKinnon’s hat trick goal would be #2, imo. We lost though, so it won’t make the list unfortunately.
Iād have to add a few:
Landyās empty netter in Game 82
PA Parenteau ties Game 5 vs the Wild
Andrighettoās GWG vs Nashville in Game 5
Sakics OT winner against Chicago in game 4 when avs were down 2-1 in that series. If they lost that game it would have been 3-1 and likely no cup in 96. Instead sakic scored, made it 2-2 and ozolinsh OT winner in game 6 sent avs to the 3rd round.
As cool as Krupps goal was, the avs dominated the finals. It was one of the most lopsided series in history. The hawks (even more than Detroit imo) gave the avs the biggest challenge in those playoffs.
What makes Sakic’s goal so much sweeter was that it was through the defenders legs and up over Brodeur’s glove!
Me watching Forsberg highlights