DENVER (Interstat) — Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist as the Colorado Avalanche overpowered the Florida Panthers 6-2 in NHL action Thursday night at Ball Arena. The Avalanche scored twice in the first period and broke the game open with a three-goal second. Six different Colorado players scored, including Brock Nelson, Sam Malinski, Gavin Brindley, MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen and Gabriel Landeskog. MacKinnon, named the game’s top star, extended his point streak. Noah Gregor and Mackie Samoskevich scored for the Panthers, who fell to .500 at 15-15. The Avalanche improved to 22-9, solidifying their strong position in the league standings. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Florida on Jan. 4.

DENVER (Interstat) — The Colorado Avalanche delivered a commanding performance on home ice Thursday night, overwhelming the Florida Panthers 6-2 at Ball Arena in a display of depth and offensive firepower. Nathan MacKinnon, named the game’s top star, continued his torrid pace with a goal and an assist, pacing an Avalanche attack that saw six different players score and twelve register at least one point. The victory improved Colorado’s record to 22-9, solidifying its position among the Western Conference elite, while Florida fell to an even 15-15. The Avalanche set the tone early, capitalizing on sustained pressure in the Florida zone. Defenseman Sam Malinski opened the scoring just 1:14 into the game, firing a wrist shot past Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov after a setup from Martin Necas and MacKinnon. Colorado doubled its lead later in the period when Brock Nelson, stationed in front of the net, deftly converted a backhand chance off assists from Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin at the 18:30 mark. Florida managed a response before the first intermission. Noah Gregor cut the deficit to 2-1 with his first goal of the season, a wrist shot assisted by Seth Jones at 7:21, providing a brief moment of hope for the visitors. Any momentum for the Panthers was thoroughly extinguished in a dominant second period by the Avalanche. The home team struck three times to put the game out of reach. Rookie Gavin Brindley, a native of Estero, Florida, made it 3-1 at 10:05, finishing a backhand play with assists from veteran defensemen Brent Burns and Josh Manson. MacKinnon then netted his team-leading 25th goal of the season at 14:18, wiring a wrist shot from the slot off feeds from Samuel Girard and Malinski. The period’s final blow came from Artturi Lehkonen, who buried a wrist shot with just 35 seconds remaining before the break. Assists on the goal went to Brindley and Devon Toews, sending Colorado into the locker room with a commanding 5-1 advantage. The third period saw the Avalanche add one more for good measure. Captain Gabriel Landeskog scored his sixth of the year at 18:18, with Manson and Nelson picking up the helpers. Florida’s Mackie Samoskevich scored a late consolation goal for the Panthers with just 51 seconds remaining in regulation, assisted by A.J. Greer and Evan Rodrigues, to finalize the 6-2 scoreline. Colorado’s offensive depth was on full display. Beyond MacKinnon’s multi-point night, Nelson (one goal, one assist), Brindley (one goal, one assist), and Malinski (one goal, one assist) all recorded two points. Manson contributed two assists from the blue line. The Avalanche’s defense also stifled Florida for long stretches, limiting high-danger chances and supporting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 26 saves for the win. Tarasov stopped 45 shots in a busy and difficult night for Florida. The game’s outcome aligned with pregame projections. National Statistical’s game simulator had predicted a final score of Colorado 6, Florida 2, and its ELO system gave the Avalanche a 57.4 percent probability to win. Colorado covered the pregame spread of -1.5, and the total of eight goals went over the closing over/under line of 6.5. The Panthers, playing the second leg of a back-to-back after a 4-3 win in Utah on Wednesday, looked a step behind the fresher Avalanche throughout. Florida’s penalty kill was tested and held firm on all three Colorado opportunities, but its own power play went 0-for-2 and failed to generate a spark. Colorado now looks ahead to a quick rematch with the Nashville Predators at home on Saturday. The Avalanche fell to Nashville in a shootout just three days prior. Florida continues a challenging road trip, heading to Dallas to face the Stars on Saturday night. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Sunrise, Florida, on Jan. 4.

Preview: Panthers at Avalanche, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 DENVER (Interstat) — The surging Colorado Avalanche, among the NHL’s elite this season, host the inconsistent Florida Panthers in a cross-conference matchup Thursday night at Ball Arena. The Avalanche (21-9-0) enter with the league’s second-best points percentage (.700), having won eight of their last 10 games. Their most recent outing was a 4-3 shootout loss in Nashville on Tuesday, snapping a three-game win streak. Center Nathan MacKinnon remains the engine of Colorado’s high-powered attack, recording 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) over his last 10 contests. He is coming off a two-assist performance against the Predators. The Panthers (14-14-0) arrive in Denver looking to build momentum after a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday halted a two-game skid. Their season has been marked by streaks, both winning and losing, leaving them at .500. Forward Sam Reinhart, who had a goal and an assist in the win over New York, has been a bright spot with 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in his last 10 games. The matchup features a stark contrast in recent form. Colorado has dominated at home with a 12-3-0 record, while Florida is just 7-9-0 on the road. The Avalanche’s offense, averaging over 3.6 goals per game, will test a Panthers defense that has allowed three or more goals in six of its last eight games. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, Colorado is projected to win decisively with a final score of 6-2. For Florida, goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who made 20 saves in Sunday’s win, is expected to start. Colorado’s lineup, led by MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, who scored in Nashville, will look to control play from the outset. This game opens a two-game road trip for the Panthers, who visit Dallas on Saturday. The Avalanche remain home to face Nashville again on Saturday before embarking on a road trip.