MacKinnon's Record-Setting Day Helps Avalanche Defeat Red Wings 5-0

Milestones in the Motor City

Nathan MacKinnon set the Avalanche single-season record with his 13th multi-goal game and Mackenzie Blackwood posted a 28-save shutout to lead the Avalanche past the Detroit Red Wings 5-0 on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena. Brent Burns, Ross Colton and Parker Kelly each added a tally for the Avs, while Artturi Lehkonen posted two assists.

"The fact that everyone played well," Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said when asked what he liked about the team's start to the game. "And it was a mature game, again, from us. More consistent in the detail of the game, the competitiveness of the game. Just a solid effort from our goaltender straight out all the way through our lineup."

With the win, the Avalanche improved to 36-8-9.

How It Happened

Burns opened the scoring at 6:44 of the first period with his ninth goal of the season via a right-circle shot off the rush. With that tally, the 270th of his career, Burns tied Bobby Orr for the eighth-most goals by a defenseman in NHL history.

Colorado doubled its lead at 10:03 of the first period when MacKinnon scored his 39th goal of the season via a shot from the point through traffic.

Colton gave the Avs a 3-0 lead at 1:24 of the second period with his seventh goal of the season via a shot from the doorstep set up by Brock Nelson's low-to-high feed.

The Avs took a 4-0 lead when MacKinnon, who became the first player in the NHL to reach 40 goals this season, scored his second goal of the game at 13:33 of the middle frame via a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle set up by Lehkonen's cross-ice feed. With that tally, the 294th even-strength goal of his career, MacKinnon passed Michel Goulet for the second-most such goals in franchise history. Additionally, with that tally, MacKinnon set the Avalanche team single-season record for most multi-goal games with 13.

Kelly gave the Avs a 5-0 lead at 7:35 of the third period with his 12th goal of the season via a backhand shot from the right goal line off his own rebound after receiving Joel Kiviranta's feed.

Next Up

The Avalanche hosts the Red Wings on Monday at 7 p.m. MT on KTVD-20, Altitude, Altitude+ and Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM.