The Colorado Avalanche needed to get things back on track, and a game against the Detroit Red Wings is always a good one to do it. After dropping the last two contests in Canada, Colorado reignited their old rivalry from the past in Detroit. As they have done many times this season, a pair of players made history for the Avalanche and the NHL. Colorado played one of its best games on the road trip as they handed the Red Wings a 5–0 loss in the Motor City.

View from the Mountaintop

Nathan MacKinnon was looking like his old self on Saturday afternoon against the Red Wings. After going a season-long five games without a goal, MacKinnon needed to change that. It did not take long as he set up Brent Burns at the top of the zone in the first period, notching his 699th career assist with the goal. Burns would also tie Bobby Orr for most goals by a defenseman with 270 career goals. But MacKinnon was not done; he tacked on two goals, setting two Avalanche/Nordiques records while doing so. This was the 13th multi-goal game of the season, passing Joe Sakic from the 1995–96 season. It was also his 295th even-strength goal, passing Michel Goulet.

The power play for the Avalanche looked the best it has in months. Colorado had two power-play opportunities and nearly scored on both. Brock Nelson (more on him in a minute) crashed the right side of the net, and John Gibson blocked the play. On the second power play, Colorado worked the puck over the left side for MacKinnon. The net was wide open, but he shot over the net. MacKinnon showed some visible frustration after the play. The Avalanche would actually have 14 shot attempts during the power play, a change from their normal passing and waiting for an opportunity.

Ross Colton is climbing out of his slump. After going 25 straight games without a goal, he now has goals in back-to-back games. Parker Kelly has also been setting career highs almost every game. On Saturday, Kelly scored his 12th goal of the season (a new career high) and it was also his third goal in only six games. Nelson has become a true second-line center for the team. He notched an assist on Colton’s goal to give himself 15 points in the last 12 games.

Up Next

The Avalanche head home to finish the season series against the Red Wings on Monday at 7 p.m. MT. Altitude Sports and My20 will broadcast the game.