LOS ANGELES — Martin Necas scored two targets, Nathan MacKinnon had two assists to grow to be the main scorer in Avalanche historical past, and Colorado opened the common season with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night time.
Sam Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen additionally scored throughout Colorado’s three-goal second interval. Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves throughout a commanding efficiency by the Avalanche of their first recreation again from their disappointing first-round playoff exit to Dallas.
Kevin Fiala scored a power-play purpose with 4:53 left for the Kings, who matched the franchise data for victories and factors final season earlier than their fourth consecutive first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 19 photographs for Los Angeles, which made just a few adjustments underneath new basic supervisor Ken Holland — however the defence-first membership seemed gradual through the Avs’ second interval.
Anze Kopitar started his twentieth and closing NHL season after the Los Angeles captain introduced his impending retirement final month.
Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog performed in his first season opener since October 2021 and his first regular-season recreation since March 10, 2022. He missed the previous three common seasons as a consequence of a number of knee surgical procedures, solely returning for the playoffs final April.
MacKinnon’s first help was his 1,016th level in 871 video games, pushing him previous Joe Sakic’s 1,015 factors in 870 video games for the Avalanche — though Sakic scored an extra 626 factors earlier than his Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver.
This recreation was performed precisely 30 years after the Avalanche visited the Discussion board in Inglewood for his or her first highway recreation following relocation.
Lehkonen made it 3-0 on a rebound after Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar made a shocking drive to the online. Necas added a power-play purpose within the third.
The Kings stunned their followers by carrying a beforehand unannounced third jersey for the sport after warming up of their common house sweaters. The brand new jersey is black and silver with the historic crown emblem blown up into the primary crest.
Avalanche: Host Mammoth on Thursday.
Kings: At Golden Knights on Wednesday.
