MacKinnon sets Avalanche points record in opening win against Kings

LOS ANGELES -- Nathan MacKinnon became the Colorado Avalanche’s all-time leader in points since the franchise relocated in 1995-96 in a 4-1 season-opening win against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.

MacKinnon had the primary assist on Martin Necas’ goal 48 seconds into the second period for his 1,016th point (367 goals, 649 assists) in 871 games to break a tie with Joe Sakic (1,015 points in 870 games). Sakic is the franchise leader in Quebec Nordiques-Avalanche history with 1,641 points.

“He means a ton,” Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said of MacKinnon. “He drives our team on a nightly basis, offensively. ... Just so many things he does so well, and I’m not surprised that he’s, yet again, breaking another franchise record. You know, it’s just kind of what he does, so exciting to see.”

Necas scored twice, Artturi Lehkonen had a goal and an assist, and MacKinnon and Cale Makar each had two assists for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves.

Landeskog played in his first season opener since Oct. 13, 2021, and his first regular-season game since March 10, 2022, following a knee injury and multiple surgeries. The 32-year-old forward had one shot on goal and won five of seven face-offs in 11:12 of ice time.

Landeskog returned to Colorado’s lineup last season on April 23 in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Dallas Stars. He finished the series with four points (one goal, three assists) in five games before the Avalanche were eliminated in Game 7.

“I liked the way our team played, yeah, especially as the game went on,” Landeskog said. “Our second period, I thought, was really good. We were able to keep the play for the most part on their side of the ice.”

Kevin Fiala scored, and Anze Kopitar had an assist as he started his 20th and final NHL season for the Kings, who had the best home record in the NHL last season (31-6-4). Darcy Kuemper made 19 saves.

Kopitar announced on Sept. 18 that he will be retiring after this season.

“We weren’t playing our style of game and the way we’re supposed to play, so we’ll put this one behind us,” Los Angeles defenseman Drew Doughty said.

Necas gave Colorado a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of the second period on a wrist shot from the right circle during a delayed penalty.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has stressed the need for Necas to keep shooting after he had 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 30 regular-season games but only one goal and four assists in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games for Colorado last season after being acquired as part of the Jan. 24 three-team trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes.

“Last year, he deferred a little bit to other guys,” Bednar said. “I see him as a goal-scorer, and I think that he needs to have a good balance of shooting the puck.”

Necas showed the versatility of that offensive skill set by getting his second goal of the game on the power play with a wrist shot from the right circle at 10:43 of the third period to push it to 4-0.

“I mean, he’s been ripping pucks all [preseason] from the first game,” Bednar said. “Today, he gets into two good areas, one in tight, one from distance.”

Sam Malinski made it 2-0 at 7:00 of the second on a long shot from the left point through traffic.

Lehkonen put Colorado up 3-0 at 14:42 when he put in Makar’s rebound from the top of the crease. MacKinnon had the secondary assist, his 15th in season openers to tie Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman for most among active players.

“Overall, it was a good road period,” Makar said of the second. “Our guys were finding lanes really well and making sure pucks stay off our net. That’s what you’ve got to do to win games like this on the road.”

Fiala scored on a two-man advantage at 15:06 with a one-timer in the right circle set up by Adrian Kempe to cut it to 4-1.

“I thought we responded well in the third, but like I said, too little, too late,” Doughty said.

NOTES: Kopitar had the secondary assist on Fiala’s goal for his 27th point (12 goals, 15 assists) in 19 season openers, tied with Sakic (11 goals, 16 assists in 20 games) and Wayne Gretzky (nine goals, 18 assists in 19 games) for third most in NHL history. … MacKinnon is the fifth player in NHL history to have multiple assists in at least six season openers, joining Jaromir Jagr (seven games), Adam Oates (seven), Ray Bourque (six) and Dale Hunter (six).