10 Takeaways: Jared Bednar Is In Avalanche Lineup Experimentation Mode

Mar 28, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) passes the puck in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images As the Avalanche have continued to pull away from the Dallas Stars in the standings, head coach Jared Bednar has begun experimenting with his lineup ahead of the playoffs. It’s no different than what he did in 2022.

That season, the Avs were so far ahead in the standings that the coach decided to use the stretch run to try new combinations. He often separated Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon; he allowed the newly acquired Artturi Lehkonen to play on the top line. He even tried Andre Burakovsky with MacKinnon, and as a third liner with J.

T. Compher. The reasoning was simple: Bednar wanted to have alternative combinations that work just in case an in-series change needed to be made.

And in the end, it made a difference. He went to his arsenal several times as the team marched to a Stanley Cup championship. This season feels the same, but with a little bit of a twist.