1996/97: Coming of a Stanley Cup in their inaugural season the Avalanche proved it was not a fluke as they won the President's Trophy for the best overall record in the NHL with a mark of 49-24-9. In the playoffs the Avalanche would roll past the Chicago Blackhawks in 6 games and the Edmonton Oilers in 5 to set up a rematch with the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals. Over the season following their initial playoff match up the Avalanche and Red Wings engaged in several brawls one that included Goalies Patrick Roy and Chris Osgood going one on one. The Avalanche would get off to good start capturing Game 1. However, the Wings would rally to win the next 3 and take a 3-1 series lead. Facing elimination for the first time the Avalanche would erupt for a 6-0 win in Game 5. However, the Wings would end the Avalanche's reign with a 3-1 win in Game 6.

2000/01: The season started out as a mission for Ray Bourque who desperately wanted to win the Stanley Cup in his final season. From the start of the season it was clear that the Avalanche would be the team to beat as they rolled to the President's Trophy with a 52-16-10-4 record. Along the way another legend Patrick Roy made history as he broke Terry Sawchuck's record for career wins with 448. In the playoffs the Avalanche would get off to a fast start as they swept the Vancouver Canucks in 4 straight. However in the 2nd Round the Avalanche would hit a bumpy road as they lost back-to-back 1-0 games to the Los Angeles Kings after taking a 3-1 series lead. Facing elimination the Avalanche would burry the Kings 5-1 in Game 7. The Avalanche would find things easier as they blasted the St. Louis Blues in 5 games. In the finals the Avalanche faced the New Jersey Devils who once called Denver home. After the 2 teams split the first 4 games the Avalanche appeared to be in trouble as they dropped a crucial 5th game at home to fall behind 3-2 in the series. However facing elimination in New Jersey, Patrick Roy would rise to the occasion by stopping all 24-shots, while setting the career record for playoff shutouts in a 4-0 Avalanche win that sent the series to a 7th Game. Back at the Pepsi Center in Game 7 Roy was a brick wall again stopping 21 of 22 shots as Alex Tanguay scored twice in an Avalanche 3-1 win. Patrick Roy would go on to win his record 3rd Conn Smythe award, as Ray Bourque road off into the sunset with the Stanley Cup