MacKinnon gets 40th goal of season, Avalanche shut out Red Wings

DETROIT -- Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, including his 40th goal of the season, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 28 saves for the Colorado Avalanche in a 5-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.

It’s the fourth time MacKinnon has scored at least 40 goals in a season. He has 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 22 career games against Detroit.

“It was nice to get a lead and not be chasing the game,” MacKinnon said. “We did a good job of forechecking, and that’s how I got my second goal.”

Brent Burns, Ross Colton and Parker Kelly scored, and Artturi Lehkonen had two assists for the Avalanche (36-8-9), who had lost four of their previous five games (1-3-1). They have points in 15 straight games against Detroit (14-0-1).

It was Blackwood’s third shutout of the season.

“I thought everyone played well, and it was a very mature game for us,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said.

John Gibson allowed four goals on 17 shots for the Red Wings (32-18-6), who have lost four of five (1-2-2). Cam Talbot made three saves in the third period.

“They won 5-0 and we were just kind of watching,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “We’re just not getting it done offensively. It might look good at times, but the puck isn’t going over the goal line.”

The teams play again on Monday at Ball Arena in Denver.

“This was huge,” MacKinnon said. “We came here and got two points, and now we play them again next game. … It’s like a mini playoff series. It’s always tough to beat a team twice in a row, and that’s a very good team.”

Burns gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 6:44 of the first period. He took a pass from MacKinnon, skated down the right wing and beat Gibson with a wrist shot.

MacKinnon made it 2-0 at 10:03, circling the defense before reversing direction and placing a point shot past Gibson’s glove.

“We had two of the game’s best scoring chances in the first five minutes of the game,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “We didn’t score on either of them, and five minutes later we’re down 2-0.”

Colton gave Colorado a 3-0 lead at 1:24 of the second period, cutting to the front of the net and converting a pass from Brock Nelson.

MacKinnon’s 40th goal made it 4-0 at 13:33. Lehkonen took advantage of a turnover and fed MacKinnon for a one-timer from the left circle.

“You just have to tip your hat because he’s a great player,” McLellan said. “With Connor McDavid, you check him in a certain way, and he’s always got another answer. Nate’s the same way. Sometimes it takes two guys to slow him down, and then someone else is open.”

Kelly scored at 7:35 of the third, knocking in his own rebound for the 5-0 final.

NOTES: Colorado forward Martin Necas was a late scratch because of a lower-body injury; Bednar said he is day to day. … Burns’ goal was No. 270 of his NHL career, tying Bobby Orr for eighth all-time among defensemen. … Nelson has points in 12 straight road games (17 points; 11 goals, six assists), one behind McDavid for the League’s longest current streak. … The Red Wings have been outscored 9-1 at even strength in their past three games. With the upcoming break for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, they don’t play here again March 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights.