The Latest Breaking News from Jared Bednar

If Nathan MacKinnon represents the heart, then Gabriel Landeskog is the Avalanche’s soul and spine, the last link in a mighty chain that finally dragged Lord Stanley’s Cup to its rightful plinth a mile high.

DENVER — So maybe Colorado has some experimenting to do with its second, third and fourth lines. Maybe the penalty kill needs intense self-evaluation. Maybe the Avalanche lacks depth.

Until Tim Connelly scratched a seven-year itch and abruptly ended a beautiful relationship with Michael Malone to take the money in Minnesota, they were inseparable basketball brothers, a front-office exec and fiery coach joined at the hip in the quest to make the Nuggets a legit championship contender.

TAMPA, Fla. — One by one, as if it was choreographed weeks ago, all 28 players and each member of the coaching, training and equipment staffs and front office took their turn with the Stanley Cup here late Sunday night.