It was a very “Game 1” feeling to this first period, mainly for the Avalanche. The Kings came out strong early in the period, generating a lot of chances in the Avalanche zone, but Scott Wedgewood was impressive to start. Keeping track of the puck well and making sure any loose rebounds were either batted away quickly or gloved for a whistle.
A major standout of the Avalanche was the Landeskog-Nelson-Nichushkin second line. They were super impressive in the playoffs against the Dallas Stars, and they’re keeping that chemistry to start the season. Big moment when Josh Manson lays a massive hit on Warren Foegele, and Jeff Malott steps up for his teammate. It is called for instigating, and the Avalanche gets a power play out of it, but they fail to capitalize on it.
It was an outburst in the second period as the Avalanche scored three goals in the period. It starts when MacKinnon wraps around the net and finds Martin Necas to open the scoring. His assist sets a new franchise record for most points by a Colorado Avalanche since moving from the Quebec Nordiques to the Colorado Avalanche, passing Joe Sakic.
Nathan MacKinnon Becomes Avalanche’s All-Time Leading Scorer
With his assist on Martin Necas’ goal, Nathan MacKinnon now passes Joe Sakic for most points in Colorado Avalanche history since relocating to Denver, Colorado.
Sam Malinski was able to scoop the puck off the boards and send a shot on the blue line through a crowd of players and beat Darcy Kuemper. The Avalanche get a power play opportunity when Joel Edmundson is called for slashing, but don’t capitalize on it. Cale Makar makes a highlight play by dashing through the Kings’ defenders, but his shot is blocked, though it’s Artturi Lehkonen on the doorstep to bang it in. With 30 seconds left in the period, Edmundson takes a delay of the game penalty.
The third period was eventful to say the least, with four penalties called in the first 12 minutes. Brent Burns called for hooking, Makar called for hooking, and Foegele called for holding, all teams failing to capitalize on the power play. It won’t be until Kevin Fiala is called for roughing and Necas makes it 4-0 after beating Kuemper far side right as the power play begins.
Another three penalties would be called after that, with MacKinnon penalized for interference and Manson penalized again for cross-checking, to make it a 5-on-3. The Kings capitalize on the opportunity as Fiala blasts one past Wedgewood to make it 4-1. Clarke is called for cross-checking, the seventh penalty in the period. That would end the game, with the Avalanche winning 4-1
The Avalanche play again on Oct. 9 against the newly introduced Utah Mammoths in their home opener.
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