Victor Olofsson, defensive specialist? Imagine telling that to a Buffalo Sabres fan in 2022.

But as we stand here, just a few days before Christmas in 2025, that’s sort of what Olofsson has become for the Colorado Avalanche. His role has essentially been the same, as he once again played on the third line in Colorado’s 1-0 win over the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday night. The offensive production has fallen off in recent weeks.

His defense? Not so much.

“On the defensive side, he’s been outstanding, in my opinion,” coach Jared Bednar said of Olofsson. “He does a lot of little things away from the puck. He’s always in the right position, whether it’s off the rush or in defensive zone coverage. He manages the puck really well, never really turns it over for dangerous chances against, so there’s a lot that I really like.”

The underlying numbers for Olofsson speak to the improved defensive play, especially from his time in Buffalo, where he was mainly known as a one-dimensional goal scorer. But a defensive specialist? He’s not quite ready for that title.

“It’s always nice to hear positive things (from the coaching staff),” Olofsson told The Gazette. “I don’t see myself as a defensive specialist at all, but I’m always trying to play a solid two-way game and trying to take a lot of responsibility defensively, especially when the pucks haven’t gone in (the net). These last couple years I’ve been working more and more on my defensive game. I feel like it’s gotten better, so it’s nice to hear.”

Where both Bednar and Olofsson see improvement for him is on the offensive side, something he’s typically never had an issue with in his NHL career.

The 30-year old Swede has 19 points in 35 games, so he’s on track for an offensive season similar to what he’s put up the majority of his career, but it’s taken a dip of late. Since Nov. 16, he has just one goal and three assists in 16 games and because of that, hasn’t been playing as much. Earlier this month, he was removed from the top power-play unit, where he spent the better part of November.

Bednar has been rolling with a third line of Olofsson, Ross Colton, and Gavin Brindley for the last five games, wanting to give them some time to build chemistry. They’re coming off their best performance in Sunday’s win over Minnesota, but there’s more for Olofsson to give offensively.

“I want him to challenge himself a little bit more on the offensive side of things,” Bednar said. “Use his legs to help create offense a little bit more for himself and his linemates. Not just settle for the easy play offensively, but still be smart with the puck. … I want to see his offensive game take another step.”

That step was not taken against the Mammoth, but given Olofsson’s history, pucks will start going in eventually.

Avalanche 1, Mammoth 0

What happened: A strange game before Christmas, but the Avalanche showing (yet again) they can win any way possible.

What went right: Sam Girard is heating up, with six points in his last six games. The lone goal this game came from Girard cutting off his man in the neutral zone and creating a breakaway for himself.

What went wrong: Colorado got sloppy in the second period, giving up two breakaways. Scott Wedgewood was there to save them, including one that went to review as his glove was right on the goal line. Wedgewood’s dark pads likely helped him in this situation, as video review wasn’t conclusive enough to determine the puck was completely over the line.

Avalanche goal scorers: Girard (2)

Between the pipes: Wedgewood was spectacular again, stopping all 32 shots for his second shutout of the year.

What’s next: The Avalanche will get a few days off for Christmas break before playing the Golden Knights in Vegas on Saturday at 8 p.m.