Kraken Fall to Avalanche in Condensed Game

10-minute highlights recap shows Colorado's dominant performance at home

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:23am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, angular shapes and planes of blue, green, and red, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of a hockey game between two teams.A cubist interpretation of the intense action on the ice as the Avalanche overwhelm the Kraken in a dominant home victory.Seattle Today

The Seattle Kraken traveled to Denver to take on the Colorado Avalanche in a matchup between two Western Conference playoff contenders. The Avalanche controlled the game from start to finish, cruising to a decisive victory in a condensed 10-minute highlight package that showcased Colorado's offensive firepower and stifling defense.

Why it matters

The Avalanche are one of the top teams in the NHL and are looking to make another deep playoff run this season. This game was an important early-season test for the Kraken, who are hoping to build on last year's surprise playoff appearance.

The details

The Avalanche jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, scoring three goals in the first period to take control of the game. Colorado's stars, led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, were dominant throughout, creating numerous scoring chances and keeping the Kraken offense in check.

  • The game was played on April 16, 2026.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

Star center for the Colorado Avalanche, known for his elite scoring ability and two-way play.

Cale Makar

Defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, considered one of the best young players in the NHL and a key part of the team's success.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really set the tone early. That's the kind of performance we need to bring every night if we want to make a deep playoff run.”

— Nathan MacKinnon, Center, Colorado Avalanche

The takeaway

The Avalanche demonstrated why they are one of the top teams in the NHL, dominating the Kraken with their skilled offense and stifling defense. The Kraken will need to regroup and find a way to compete with the league's elite if they hope to build on last season's playoff appearance.