Avs’ firepower on full display in 8-4 victory over Kings

Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen each scored twice as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 in Denver on Wednesday night. Mackenzie Blackwood recorded 27 saves in the season opener, bolstered by a four-goal second period from the Avalanche offense. The victory helped head coach Jared Bednar celebrate a newly signed four-year contract extension announced earlier in the day.

Brock Nelson, Parker Kelly, Nicolas Roy, and Gabriel Landeskog also scored for Colorado, while Cale Makar, Nazem Kadri, Jaden Schwartz, and Devon Toews added two assists apiece. Los Angeles received goals from Brian Dumoulin, Joel Armia, Trevor Moore, and Artemi Panarin, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots in the loss.