The Colorado Avalanche fell behind at the start of the game, but it was no need to worry. The Vancouver Canucks showed by the end of the contest that they couldn’t handle the altitude of Denver. With the 3–1 victory over the Canucks, the Avs are one of two teams in NHL history to have one regulation loss through 26 games. The 1979–80 Flyers are the only other team, and it took them 37 games. The Avalanche are now on pace to finish the season with over 130 points, far exceeding the 2021–22 total of 119. There was some bad news in the win as another player left the game, but it may not be serious.

View from the Mountaintop

In the first period, the defensemen were taking too many risks, and it cost them. They were pinching up to get in on the play, and the Canucks took advantage of it. It opened up the far side for Linus Karlsson to get around Parker Kelly and make the shot. All three players involved in the goal were part of the Abbotsford Canucks that eliminated the Colorado Eagles in the Division Finals last season.

Goaltender Scott Wedgewood left the game for the Avalanche after playing 32:28. He left the game and did not return an upper-body injury. Shortly before he left, Wedgewood came over to the bench and talked to head trainer Matt Sokolowski. He also said something to Mackenzie Blackwood and went back to the crease to continue playing. During the next television timeout, Wedgewood left the game and Blackwood came in right before Brock Nelson scored. Head coach Jared Bednar mention after the game that his back tightened up so he was pulled from the game just to be safe

Nathan MacKinnon added goals 21 and 22 of the season. He was the first player in the NHL to reach 20 goals, and only six of them have been on the power play. But when the Avs are at even strength and MacKinnon is on the ice, they are outscoring their opponents 37–9. The Canadian is also on pace to score 69 goals this season, which would exceed his career high of 51 set in 2023–24.

Up Next

The Avalanche will head out to Staten Island to play the New Islanders on Thursday at 5 p.m. MT. KVTD My20 will broadcast the game.