Nathan MacKinnon scores twice, drops gloves as Avalanche outgun Kings

The Colorado Avalanche kicked off their season with a high-scoring statement on Wednesday night in Denver, overpowering the Los Angeles Kings 8-4. Nathan MacKinnon drove the win with two goals in the second period and capped his night by getting involved in a rare fight late in regulation.

The game took place on a significant day for the organization. Just hours before puck drop, head coach Jared Bednar agreed to a four-year contract extension as he entered the final season of his existing deal. Team president and general manager Joe Sakic said before the game that he did not want Bednar spending the year fielding questions about his status, explaining he hoped to avoid that distraction for his coach.

Power play surge and MacKinnon’s outburst fuel win

On the ice, Colorado’s power play was the difference. The Avalanche struck four times with the man advantage, including an early five-on-three marker in the second period that opened the floodgates. MacKinnon scored on that opportunity, then restored a two-goal cushion later in the frame to make it 4-2 in favour of Colorado.

Artturi Lehkonen matched MacKinnon’s output with two goals of his own, while Brock Nelson turned in a three-point night with a goal and two assists. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood finished with 26 saves in an open, back-and-forth game where Colorado still surrendered two shorthanded goals despite its potent special teams.

Kings push back before MacKinnon’s fight swings momentum

Los Angeles stayed within reach thanks to goals from Trevor Moore, Joel Armia and Brian Dumoulin, cutting into Colorado’s leads throughout the night. Artemi Panarin added another on a delayed penalty midway through the third period, trimming the deficit to 6-4 and giving the Kings a brief surge of life.

With the game still in question, MacKinnon dropped the gloves with defenceman Brandt Clark late in the third period, a rare sight for the 2024 MVP whose previous fight came several years ago. Colorado responded quickly after the altercation: captain Gabriel Landeskog scored less than a minute later, and Lehkonen followed with his second of the night roughly a minute after that to put the result beyond doubt. Darcy Kuemper made 21 saves for the Kings in the loss. The Avalanche remain at home for their next test, hosting the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night.