Avalanche Shut Out Kraken to Break Franchise Points Record

Colorado clinches Presidents' Trophy with 121 points, resting key players in season finale

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.The Avalanche's record-breaking season culminates in a shutout victory over the Kraken, setting the stage for a deep playoff run.Denver Today

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Thursday night, breaking the franchise's single-season points record with 121 points. Nick Blankenburg scored the opening goal in the second period, while Parker Kelly added another in the third. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood recorded his fourth shutout of the season. The Avalanche rested several key players, including Nathan MacKinnon, who won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's goal-scoring leader. The Kraken missed the playoffs with a 34-37-11 record.

Why it matters

The Avalanche's record-breaking season solidifies their status as one of the NHL's elite teams, and they will enter the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winners. The Kraken's disappointing season ends without a postseason berth, but they showed signs of progress in their second year of existence.

The details

The Avalanche opened the scoring in the second period when Nick Blankenburg found the back of the net. An earlier Blankenburg goal was overturned due to an offside call. Parker Kelly added an insurance goal in the third period, while Valeri Nichushkin recorded a pair of assists. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 22 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season. The Avalanche rested several key players, including Nathan MacKinnon, who won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's goal-scoring leader with 53 goals.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The Avalanche clinched the Presidents' Trophy with 121 points, breaking the franchise's previous record of 119 points set in the 2021-22 season.

The players

Nick Blankenburg

An Avalanche player who scored the opening goal in the second period.

Scott Wedgewood

The Avalanche goaltender who recorded his fourth shutout of the season, making 22 saves.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Avalanche star player who rested for the season finale but won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's goal-scoring leader with 53 goals.

Victor Ostman

The Kraken goaltender who made his first NHL start, turning back 33 shots.

Jared Bednar

The Avalanche head coach who returned to the bench after missing the team's recent two-game trip due to being hit in the face by a puck.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Avalanche will host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday to begin the playoffs. The last time the teams played in the postseason was the 2002 conference quarterfinals when the Avalanche won in seven games.

The takeaway

The Avalanche's record-breaking season and Presidents' Trophy win solidify their status as one of the NHL's elite teams, setting them up for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Kraken's disappointing season ends without a postseason berth, but they showed signs of progress in their second year of existence.