MacKinnon Makes History, Blackwood Shuts the Door as Avalanche Blank Red Wings 5-0
In a dominant showing that checked every box from start to finish, the Colorado Avalanche rolled into Detroit and left with a 5-0 win over the Red Wings on Saturday night. Nathan MacKinnon continued his MVP-caliber season with yet another milestone, while Mackenzie Blackwood slammed the door with a 28-save shutout at Little Caesars Arena.
The Avalanche didn’t just win - they imposed their will. From the opening puck drop to the final horn, Colorado was in control, playing with the kind of poise and precision that head coach Jared Bednar has been preaching all season.
“The fact that everyone played well,” Bednar said postgame when asked what stood out most. “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.”
MacKinnon Rewrites the Avalanche Record Book
Let’s start with the headliner: Nathan MacKinnon. With two goals on the night, he not only became the first player in the NHL to hit the 40-goal mark this season, but he also set a new Avalanche single-season record with his 13th multi-goal game. That kind of production isn’t just impressive - it’s historic.
His first of the night came late in the first period, a laser through traffic from the point that beat everyone, including Detroit netminder Ville Husso. That made it 2-0, and it was just the beginning.
In the second period, MacKinnon struck again - this time from the bottom of the left circle, hammering home a one-timer off a perfect cross-ice feed from Artturi Lehkonen. That goal, his 294th at even strength, moved him past Michel Goulet for second-most in franchise history.
MacKinnon’s blend of speed, vision, and finishing touch is on full display right now, and the Avalanche are reaping the benefits.
Burns Ties a Legend
Before MacKinnon got rolling, it was Brent Burns who opened the scoring with a blast from the right circle just 6:44 into the game. It was his ninth of the season and the 270th of his career - tying none other than Bobby Orr for eighth-most goals by a defenseman in NHL history.
It’s a fitting milestone for Burns, who continues to defy age and expectations with his offensive instincts and heavy shot. The veteran blueliner has been a key piece for Colorado this season, and Saturday night was another reminder of just how dangerous he can be when he jumps into the rush.
Depth Scoring Comes Through
While MacKinnon and Burns grabbed the headlines, Colorado’s depth did its part too. Ross Colton made it 3-0 early in the second period, finishing off a slick low-to-high sequence set up by Brock Nelson. That marked Colton’s seventh goal of the season and his second in as many games.
In the third, Parker Kelly put the finishing touches on the win with a gritty goal from the right goal line. After collecting a feed from Joel Kiviranta, Kelly stayed with his own rebound and backhanded it home for his 12th of the year. That kind of second-effort play is exactly what coaches love to see from their bottom-six forwards.
Blackwood Stands Tall
While the offense was humming, Mackenzie Blackwood quietly turned in one of his best performances of the year. He stopped all 28 shots he faced, earning his first shutout in an Avalanche sweater.
Blackwood was sharp from the outset, tracking pucks through traffic and controlling rebounds. He didn’t have to make many flashy saves - a testament to the team’s defensive structure - but when called upon, he was rock solid.
For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, having a reliable second goaltender is crucial, and Blackwood showed he’s more than capable of holding down the fort when needed.
What’s Next
With the win, the Avalanche improved to 36-8-9 - a record that speaks to their consistency and firepower. They’ll get another crack at the Red Wings on Monday night, this time back in Denver. If Saturday’s performance was any indication, Detroit has its work cut out for it.
This is a team that’s not just winning - it’s clicking on every level. From stars like MacKinnon breaking records to role players like Kelly chipping in, the Avalanche are showing why they’re a legitimate force in the NHL’s Western Conference.