MacKinnon breaks Avalanche points record in 4-1 win over Kings

When Nathan MacKinnon, center for Colorado Avalanche handed in his 1,016th career point on Monday, October 7, 2025, the Avalanche celebrated a 4‑1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Martin Necas scored twice, including a power‑play goal that stretched the lead to 4‑0, while veteran captain Gabriel Landeskog marked his first regular‑season start in more than three years. On the other side, long‑time King Anze Kopitar logged his 20th and final NHL season, adding an assist to the lone Kings goal.

Why the record mattered

The point came during the Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings season openerLos Angeles, a game that instantly shifted the narrative of Colorado’s 2025‑26 campaign. MacKinnon’s assist on Necas’ second goal nudged him past franchise legend Joe Sakic in Avalanche history, putting him at the top of the points leaderboard for the Colorado‑based franchise. Sakic still holds the overall record that spans the Quebec Nordiques era (1,641 points), but breaking the Avalanche marker is a milestone that reminds fans of the club’s modern identity.

Statistically, the achievement is eye‑catching: 1,016 points in 871 games translates to a 1.17 points‑per‑game average—still among the best in the league. It also underlines MacKinnon’s durability; he missed very little ice time over the past four seasons despite a lingering hip issue that raised doubts during the 2023‑24 playoffs.

Game‑by‑game breakdown

Colorado struck early. After a modest 5‑minute flurry, Necas seized a loose puck at the left circle, lifted it past the Kings’ net‑front and slid it home for a 1‑0 lead. The power‑play conversion at 0:48 of the second period—set up by MacKinnon’s crisp feed—made it 4‑0 and effectively sealed the game. Cale Makar added two assists, showcasing the blueline’s offensive punch.

For the Kings, forward Kevin Fiala found the back of the net midway through the third period, offering a brief glimmer of hope. Anze Kopitar later tipped in an assist on that goal, marking his 1,371st career game—a testament to durability rarely seen in the modern NHL.

In net, Scott Wedgewood turned aside 24 of 25 shots for Colorado, while the Kings’ veteran net‑minder Darcy Kuemper recorded 19 saves. Both goalies were solid, but the Avalanche’s relentless forecheck left little room for Kuemper to settle.

Landeskog’s long‑awaited return

Gabriel Landeskog’s presence was more than ceremonial. After undergoing three knee surgeries and missing 1,245 days of regular‑season action, the 32‑year‑old captain logged 11 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time, won five of seven face‑offs, and recorded a single shot on goal. "It felt amazing to finally step onto the ice in a regular‑season game again," Landeskog said in a post‑game interview. "The guys gave me a warm welcome, and I’m ready to help us chase that Cup again."

His return is significant because the Avalanche have relied heavily on a core that includes MacKinnon, Makar, and forward Artturi Lehkonen. Landeskog’s blend of physical play and leadership could be the missing piece that pushes Colorado past the Western Conference’s perennial powerhouses.

Reactions from both sidelines

Colorado head coach Jared Bednar praised his squad’s “early‑season intensity,” noting that breaking the franchise points record “shows the culture we’ve built.” He also highlighted the defensive effort, especially from Makar, who “continues to make us look good on the back end.”

Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan was candid about the loss, saying, “We knew the Avalanche were coming in hot. We’ll regroup, focus on our special teams, and use Kopitar’s leadership to turn this around.” The Kings entered the season with an impressive 31‑6‑4 home record from 2024‑25, so an opening‑night defeat at home is a minor blip, but one that could motivate the squad.

What this means for the Western Conference race

The win puts Colorado 2 points ahead of the Minnesota Wild in the Central Division, while the Kings drop to 0‑1‑0, trailing Pacific rivals Vegas Golden Knights who opened against the Seattle Kraken. If the Avalanche sustain this pace, they could be serious contenders for a repeat Stanley Cup, especially with a fully healthy Landeskog and a record‑breaking MacKinnon leading the charge.

Analysts point out that the Avalanche’s special‑teams efficiency—particularly on the power play, which was 100% effective in this game—will be a key differentiator. Meanwhile, the Kings need to tighten up their penalty kill, which allowed three power‑play goals.

Looking ahead

Colorado’s next matchup is against the Vancouver Canucks on October 12, a test against a high‑scoring Western side. The Kings travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks on October 13, hoping to bounce back in front of a raucous crowd at Honda Center.

Both teams have plenty of games left before the mid‑season trade deadline on February 28, 2026, offering opportunities to adjust rosters, fine‑tune tactics, and possibly reshape the playoff picture.