Colorado opened its 2026-27 campaign by putting eight goals on the board in an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena, setting a franchise record for goals scored in a season opener. Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen scored twice apiece, Brock Nelson added a goal and two assists, and 13 different Avalanche players recorded at least one point.
For Avalanche fans around Centennial, it was a pretty convincing announcement:
Hockey is back.
A Familiar Core, With Some New Ingredients
The Avalanche enter this season in an interesting position.
This is not a rebuilding team. Colorado finished last season 55-16-11, won the Central Division and advanced to the Western Conference Final. The core still features some of the NHL’s most recognizable talent, including MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Devon Toews.
But the roster surrounding that core has changed.
Colorado added veteran forward Jaden Schwartz during the offseason, along with younger forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux, as the organization worked to add both depth and youth.
Schwartz wasted very little time introducing himself. His assist on Colorado’s first goal of the season gave him his first point in an Avalanche uniform.
That balance between established stars and new contributors could become one of the more interesting stories to follow.
MacKinnon Is Still MacKinnon
Then, of course, there is Nathan MacKinnon.
MacKinnon scored twice in the opener and somehow managed to add a fight to an already eventful evening.
The goals were hardly surprising. He has spent years establishing himself as one of hockey’s premier offensive players.
What made opening night encouraging was how widely the production was spread.
Lehkonen scored twice. Nelson had three points. Parker Kelly and Nicolas Roy scored. Gabriel Landeskog found the net. Eight Avalanche players finished with multiple points.
That is exactly the kind of scoring depth Colorado will need over a season that is a little longer than usual.
Welcome to the 84-Game Season
There is another wrinkle for hockey fans this year.
The NHL has expanded its regular-season schedule from 82 to 84 games, returning to that format for the first time since the early 1990s. For Colorado, that means additional divisional games and four meetings against each of its seven Central Division opponents.
Translation: there will be plenty of opportunities for rivalries to simmer.
Colorado went 16-5-5 against Central Division opponents last season, so those additional games could become an important part of the story as the standings begin to take shape.
One Game Is Fun. A Season Is the Story.
Nobody wins anything meaningful on opening night.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar acknowledged after the win that there was plenty to like and also plenty to clean up. Colorado scored eight, but it also allowed four goals and surrendered two shorthanded goals.
That may be the right lens through which to watch this team.
The Avalanche do not need to prove they can produce spectacular nights. We already know they can.
The more interesting questions will develop over the next several months.
Can Colorado remain healthy? Will the newer additions give the veteran core the depth it needs? Can Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood again provide the kind of goaltending that helped Colorado allow the fewest goals in the NHL last season?
And, perhaps most importantly, can a team that reached the Western Conference Final last spring take another step when the games become much more important?
There are 83 games after opening night to begin answering those questions.
For now, though, Centennial hockey fans can enjoy the simplest takeaway of all:
The ice is cold.
The Avalanche are moving fast.
And Colorado sports just got considerably busier.
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Hopefully the depth guys keep chipping in. Can’t lean on MacKinnon & Makar for 84 games straight.
Already looking at the schedule for those Avs-Stars games. With the longer season, every matchup feels bigger.
Absolutely, those extra divisional matchups should crank up the intensity, especially against Central rivals like the Stars. It’s shaping up to be a great season for hockey fans.
Is it just me or did everyone look a little rusty on the penalty kill? Kings scored a bit too easy shorthanded.
Caroline J.You’re not alone, it was a bit shaky. Hopefully just early season jitters. They’ve usually been stronger on the penalty kill.
EIGHT goals! I’d pay double for seats if that keeps up all year. Best home opener I’ve seen in ages.
It was a thrilling start, and Avalanche fans definitely got their money’s worth with so many players chipping in on the scoresheet, here’s hoping the action stays red-hot all season long!
Love the avalanche offense but defense looked a step behind. I’ll be patient, first games are weird.
Miranda B.Yeah, first games always have some weird energy. I think the defense will settle in once everyone gets some more ice time together.
Schwartz was a nice surprise! More grit this year, I hope. LA got under our skin now and then last year.
Schwartz made an instant impact, and the team’s mix of grit and skill should make things interesting, especially given how physical the games with LA got last year.
R.J. DeckerSchwartz brought a different energy for sure. Hoping his style rubs off on the younger guys too. LA was definitely extra chippy last time around.
Good balance of veterans and kids. Reminds me of our cup run a few seasons ago. Let’s see if it clicks again!
Dusty RhodesThat’s what I was thinking too. The mix seems right, especially with some of the younger guys stepping up early. Fingers crossed it all gels.
Excited but cautious, honestly. Every year we start strong, but health has always been our kryptonite.
If we play the way we did against the Kings, Central Division's in trouble. But gotta tighten up on those shorthanded situations.
Pat D.Yeah, Central teams won’t like our scoring depth, but those easy goals given up have to stop. I bet Bednar is stressing that this week in practice.
I love seeing the new faces but I hope we let the young guys actually play. Svechkov deserves a regular shift.
Makar and Toews flying around again. The team just plays fast. Could be a fun ride if they hold up over 84 games.
My kids were yelling for Landeskog’s goal. It’s so good to see him back and producing after what he’s been through.
Samuel K.Same! The whole section stood up for him where I was sitting. Feels almost like a fresh start for Landy.
This team can score, but will Wedgewood and Blackwood stay sharp? Goaltending worries me some but I’ll hold out hope.
boulder_benI’m with you, goalie depth is always nerve-wracking. If they can stay steady, the offense should give them some breathing room though.
I’ve followed Bednar since he started coaching here and he always keeps things realistic. Eight goals AND two shorties the other way though, that’s something to work on.
Am I the only one who misses the 82 game schedule? 84 is gonna feel long by March, but at least more hockey, I guess.
I know it’s just one game, but spreading out the points like that has me optimistic. Every line was buzzing.
Nelson was the pickup we needed! Three points first game and looked like he’s been here forever.
Lehkonen looked awesome. I hope he stays healthy for the whole year, always seems to step up when it matters.
A little worried about the defense since we let in four. The offense looked insane, but can’t let backups score shorthanded on us like that.
You’re right, there’s still work to do defensively, allowing two shorthanded goals especially will be a big talking point for Bednar and staff as they look to tighten up early in the season.
I love how MacKinnon already got into a fight opening night. Guy never starts slow.
Nancy FieldingFor real, he just doesn’t have a slow gear. Sets the tone every season. Gotta love that fire.
Can’t wait for those extra rivalry games now that the schedule’s 84 long. Always love more Avs vs. Wild. Bring ‘em on!
Great to see Schwartz make an impact right away! I’m curious how the younger guys will fit in once the season gets going. Depth scoring will be big this year.