MacKinnon scores twice as Avalanche open season with 8-4 win over Kings
DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, added a rare fight and helped the Colorado Avalanche begin the season with an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. MacKinnon scored during a 5-on-3 power play just 23 seconds into the second period before adding his second goal at 8:33 of the period to give Colorado a 4-2 advantage. The two-time goal scorer, who recorded a career-high 53 goals last season, later dropped the gloves with Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke late in the third period. It was MacKinnon's first fight in four years. Artturi Lehkonen also scored twice for Colorado, while Brock Nelson finished with a goal and two assists. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 26 shots in his Avalanche debut. Colorado scored four power-play goals but also surrendered two short-handed goals. Trevor Moore, Joel Armia and Brian Dumoulin scored for Los Angeles, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 21 saves. Nelson and Kelly opened the scoring for Colorado in the first period, giving the Avalanche a 2-1 lead. Moore and Armia responded for Los Angeles during the second period.
Gabriel Landeskog added a goal late in the third period, less than a minute after MacKinnon's fight. Lehkonen scored his second goal shortly afterward to complete the scoring. Earlier Wednesday, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar received a four-year contract extension. Bednar, who guided Colorado to the 2022 Stanley Cup championship, entered the season in the final year of his previous contract.
Colorado will host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, while Los Angeles travels to San Jose.
