from Luke Fox of Sportsnet

Watch the way Nathan MacKinnon winds up, legs chugging like hot pistons, and rampages 200 feet. A one-man breakout, a bulleting zone entry, a scoring chance waiting to happen.

Marvel at those two poems Cale Makar calls feet, as they dance sideways, glide backwards and dart forwards, breaking your ankles and writing possibilities.

Gawk at the direct, forceful lines dug by Valeri Nichushkin toward the opponents’ crease.

Yes, they operate in the NHL’s highest altitude. But that’s not the reason hockey’s newest champion, the Colorado Avalanche, will take your breath away.

“The most explosive team that we’ve played,” praised Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, prior to having the torch snatched in a six-game thriller.

“I think it’s the best team we’ve played,” added Alex Killorn.

Confirmed.

In defeating the two-time champion Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on a sweltering Sunday night in Florida, snuffing out Tampa’s streak of series victories at 11, this attack-mode beast of Joe Sakic’s creation asserted that, yes, offence can win championships.

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