The Colorado Avalanche have officially claimed the NHL's regular-season crown, but their eyes are locked on a much bigger prize. After a decisive 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames clinched the Presidents' Trophy, head coach Jared Bednar made it clear the celebration is brief. The real work is just beginning.

Nathan MacKinnon, a leading Hart Trophy candidate, continued his MVP-caliber season with a goal and two assists, reaching a career-high 52 goals. Martin Necas matched his output with a goal and two helpers of his own, powering the Avs to a win that secures home-ice advantage throughout the entire Stanley Cup playoffs.

"I think guys should be really happy that we've accomplished those three goals—first in the division, the conference and the league," Bednar told reporters. "That's where it starts. You've got to play a long regular season before the playoffs. Now, it's time to refocus."

Bednar emphasized the mental shift required for the postseason grind. "You basically wash everything that you've done, except for what you've learned as a team about yourselves, and then you start fresh because it's a completely different ballgame."

The Avalanche's dominant campaign is one for the franchise record books. Their 52 wins tie for the second-most in team history, built on a spectacular 31-2-7 start. With the Presidents' Trophy secured, the final four regular-season games become a tune-up for the ultimate challenge.

They host the Vegas Golden Knights next before closing out against the Oilers, Flames, and Kraken. While they are projected to face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, the Avalanche's focus is internal. As Bednar stated, the mission now is to "get ready for playoffs and do whatever we need to do to be as good as we can possibly be for the drop of the puck." The quest for the Stanley Cup is officially on.