Avalanche Rout Flames With 5 First-Period Goals

Colorado's offensive onslaught overwhelms Calgary in dominant victory.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:32am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of burgundy, blue, silver, red, and yellow representing the players and action on the ice.The Avalanche's dominant first-period scoring barrage sets the tone for a decisive victory over their division rivals.Denver Today

The Colorado Avalanche scored 5 goals in the first period and cruised to a 9-2 rout of the Calgary Flames on Monday night in Denver. Nazem Kadri scored two power-play goals just over a minute apart, while Nathan MacKinnon netted his NHL-leading 49th goal and added two assists to lead the Avalanche's offensive onslaught.

Why it matters

The Avalanche's dominant performance showcases their offensive firepower and ability to overwhelm opponents, cementing their status as one of the NHL's top teams. The lopsided victory also deals a blow to the Flames' playoff positioning as they try to secure a postseason berth.

The details

Colorado's first-period outburst included goals from Kadri, MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Devon Toews. The Avalanche continued their offensive onslaught in the second and third periods, ultimately cruising to a 9-2 victory over their division rivals.

  • The Avalanche scored 5 goals in the first period on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • The game was played in Denver, Colorado.

The players

Nazem Kadri

An Avalanche forward who scored two power-play goals in the first period.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Avalanche's star center, who scored his NHL-leading 49th goal and added two assists in the victory.

Cale Makar

The Avalanche defenseman who scored one of the team's five first-period goals.

Mikko Rantanen

The Avalanche forward who also scored in the first-period onslaught.

Devon Toews

The Avalanche defenseman who found the back of the net in the first period.

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What’s next

The Avalanche will look to continue their dominant play as they push for the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Flames, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find a way to bounce back from this lopsided defeat.

The takeaway

The Avalanche's offensive firepower was on full display in this rout, as they overwhelmed the Flames with a relentless attack. Colorado's ability to score in bunches makes them a formidable opponent for any team in the NHL.