The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for a challenging 2026-27 NHL season. For the first time since 1993-94, each team will have two extra games, leading to a packed schedule. The Avalanche’s travel will add up to a staggering 50,652 miles, making them the team with the most extensive travel in the league.
Their 42 road games will take them across North America, from cities like Vancouver and Seattle to Florida and Buffalo. The geographical challenges posed by their home base in Denver mean that trips to the East Coast and within the Central Division will become significant components of their season.
Adding to the complexity, the Avalanche will have 10 sets of back-to-back games, some of which require quick travel between cities after home games. For instance, a back-to-back trip to play the New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues will cover about 772 nautical miles.
Fortunately, the Avalanche’s longest road trip of the season is five games long, which matches their longest homestand. Notably, Saturdays will be a key day for the team, with 17 scheduled games on that day, followed by 15 on Tuesdays. This means fans will have many opportunities to see the team play at home and on the road.
While the Avalanche have advantages heading into the season, the strenuous travel and demanding schedule can test their depth and ability to manage player fatigue. Efficiently handling player workloads will be crucial as they navigate the 84-game regular season.
