The Colorado Avalanche delivered a statement performance Saturday, crushing the Edmonton Oilers 9-1 behind Nathan MacKinnon’s four-point night.
The nine goals marked the most scored by any NHL team in a single game this season.
It’s just the second time in franchise history the Avalanche have scored nine goals in a road game. The last came in 2004 against the Vancouver Canucks. The eight-goal margin represents the largest road victory in club history.
MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Jack Drury, and Parker Kelly each found the net twice, while Gavin Brindley added the other goal. Devon Toews recorded three assists for Colorado, and Scott Wedgewood stopped 23 shots.
“We buried on our chances, and limited them to very few chances so that was the difference tonight,”
Kelly told Altitude TV after the game.
MacKinnon’s performance marked his 30th career game with four or more points. Only Peter Statsny (52) and Joe Sakic (32) have more in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history.
“It was one of those nights where we had a really good night and them not so much,”
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said to Altitude TV.
“It happens.”
Connor McDavid scored Edmonton’s only goal on the power play in the second period, cutting Colorado’s lead to 5-1. Kelly answered with a shorthanded marker at 14:38 to restore the five-goal margin.
The Oilers struggled in net throughout the blowout.
Stuart Skinner allowed five goals on 21 shots before getting pulled. Calvin Pickard fared no better in relief, surrendering four goals on 13 shots.
