In 1998 – 99 , with the addition of the Nashville Predators to the NHL , the NHL realigned their divisions and the Avalanche were put in the new Northwest Division . Despite a slow 2 – 6 – 1 start , Colorado finished with a 44 – 28 – 10 record for 98 points , won the Northwest Division and finished second in the Western Conference . Between January 10 and February 7 , the Avalanche had their longest ever winning streak with 12 games . Following the Columbine High School massacre , Colorado postponed their first two playoff games to a later date ; they would wear patches in honor of the Columbine victims on their jerseys during the playoffs . After defeating both the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings in six games in the first two rounds , Colorado met the Presidents ' Trophy-winning Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals , where they lost in seven games . Forsberg , the playoffs ' leading scorer with 24 points ( 8 goals and 16 assists ) , was again elected to the NHL 's First All-Star team and Chris Drury won the Calder Memorial Trophy for the best rookie of the season . Together with Milan Hejduk , both were elected for the NHL All-Rookie Team at the end of the season
Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
Colorado Avalanche