Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon each produced three points to guide the Colorado Avalanche to a 7-3 victory over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday night. Colorado pulled away with three unanswered goals in the second period, securing an offensive outburst that kept Calgary winless on the season.
Devon Toews opened the scoring for Colorado with a tip-in goal at 15:54 of the first period, his first of the season, assisted by Makar and Brock Nelson. Adam Klapka answered for Calgary at 17:30 with his first goal of the year on a wrist shot setup by Jonathan Castagna. The game shifted entirely in the second period, beginning when Toews scored his second of the night on a wrist shot at 6:45. Makar increased the lead to 3-1 at 9:16 with a wrist shot, and MacKinnon followed at 11:39 with a slap shot to establish a three-goal cushion.
Colorado continued to press early in the third period. Makar added his second goal on a slap shot at 5:35, and Jaden Schwartz scored on a snap shot 59 seconds later to make it 6-1. The Flames responded with two quick goals, as Mikael Backlund scored on a tip-in at 7:17 and Kevin Bahl converted a wrist shot at 8:28, marking the first goal of the season for both players. Schwartz halted Calgary's push at 9:41 with his second goal of the evening, scoring on a wrist shot to wrap up the 7-3 decision.
Scott Wedgewood stopped 26 of 29 shots to earn the victory in net for the Avalanche. Calgary goaltender Devin Cooley turned aside 23 of 30 shots in the loss. All ten goals were scored at even strength, with Colorado finishing 0 for 3 on the power play and Calgary going 0 for 2.
The win improved Colorado to 3-1-0 on the season as the Avalanche bounced back from a 3-2 defeat against Winnipeg. Calgary dropped to 0-4-0, extending its season-opening losing streak to four games.
The Flames will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, October 18. The Avalanche are scheduled to visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, October 19.
