There was an electricity in the air that is only there for opening night. The Colorado Avalanche took on the Los Angeles Kings, and there was a lot to be excited about. The return of regular-season hockey, the NHL debut of T.J. Hughes, and cheering with like-minded fans. We weren’t expecting much for Game One, but the Avs would double up the Kings with a final of 8–4. It was the first of three meetings between the two clubs. So the next two will be packed full of fun.

View From the Mountaintop

There was a lot to like and a lot to hate. The Avs started strong on the power play, scoring on four of five chances on the night. They were moving the puck well and keeping the Kings on their heels. Colorado was doing a great job of moving the puck low and collapsing the slot at the same time. It was this way that Artturi Lehkonen tallied two power play goals on the night. But the Kings paid the Avs back with two shorthanded goals of their own. Not such a great start after leading the league in shorties last season.

Mackenzie Blackwood looked as though he was on top of his game. Besides the shorties, he was flying all over the crease. Blackwood stopped 27-of-31 shots on goal for the eventual victory and will get several days’ rest before his next start. Nathan MacKinnon was in another gear for the opener. The first-line center had two goals in the second period and then capped it off with a fight in the third. Hughes had a little trouble against NHL talent, finishing the night with a minus-three. He was used on the top power-play unit and made a difference.

Cale Makar is the first defenseman in NHL history to have five season openers with multi-point nights. His two assists helped propel the Avs to a win. The eight goals that were scored by the Avs were the most in franchise history, along with the four power-play goals. Like we said, a lot to like.

Up Next

The Avs will not play again until Saturday night when they take on the St. Louis Blues at 7 p.m. MT. Altitude Sports will broadcast the game.