The Colorado Avalanche returned to Ball Arena in style on January 8, 2026, launching their much-anticipated seven-game homestand with a resounding 8-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. For a team eager to snap a brief two-game skid and reclaim their dominance atop the Central Division, this performance was nothing short of emphatic. Fans barely had time to settle into their seats before the Avalanche set the tone—both physically and on the scoreboard—leaving little doubt about their intentions for the night.
It all began just two minutes into the opening period. Ottawa’s Tyler Kleven delivered a heavy hit on Ivan Ivan, sparking an immediate response from Colorado’s Josh Manson. Manson dropped the gloves with Kleven, landing several decisive rights and igniting the home crowd. The energy from that fight seemed to fuel the Avalanche, and on his very next shift, Manson opened the scoring with a wrist shot through traffic. The early fireworks weren’t limited to fisticuffs—Manson’s goal was just the start of a historic night for the defenseman.
"He’s seen me fight, he’s maybe seen me score, but I don’t think he’s ever seen…actually, nobody’s ever seen that out of me in the NHL," Manson joked after the game, referencing his father’s presence in the stands for his first-ever two-goal and four-point NHL game. By the 23-minute mark, Manson had already completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick—recording a goal, an assist, and a fight—all before most fans had finished their first intermission snacks. His second goal later in the second period capped an unforgettable performance, and his leadership set the tone for an Avalanche squad hungry for redemption.
The Avalanche’s offensive outburst was a true team effort. Nathan MacKinnon, as expected, played the role of superstar, notching a four-point night and scoring Colorado’s second goal off a slick feed from Martin Necas. Cale Makar, always a threat from the blue line, chipped in with a goal and two assists, tallying three points in the process. The scoring didn’t stop there—Martin Necas, Brent Burns, and Brock Nelson (who reached the 20-goal mark on the season) all joined the party, with Nelson lighting the lamp twice. Ross Colton quietly contributed three assists, while Zakhar Bardakov and Ilya Solovyov each picked up helpers of their own. It truly felt like the Avalanche could score at will, and on this night, just about everyone got in on the action.
But the Senators, despite playing the night before in Utah, didn’t go quietly—at least not at first. After falling behind 3-0 early in the second period, Ottawa’s Shane Pinto managed to get his team on the board, narrowing the gap to 3-1 and giving the visitors a flicker of hope. The Senators pressed hard, pinning Colorado in their own zone for several shifts. Then, it appeared that Fabian Zetterlund had made it 3-2, potentially turning the tide of the contest. However, Avalanche video coach Brett Heimlich spotted a critical detail: Ottawa was five feet offside on the play. A swift and successful challenge wiped the goal off the board, halting Ottawa’s momentum and giving the Avalanche the breather they needed.
"That was pretty obvious it was offside, but I just think at that point, you have to turn it," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar explained after the game. "One goal going in and then another one, even though it was offside, that’s enough. I thought our guys did a good job doing that, getting back on track right away."
From there, Colorado unleashed a scoring avalanche—pun intended—netting five goals in a blistering span of 6 minutes and 18 seconds late in the second period. Martin Necas started the barrage with a one-timer, Brent Burns scored just 17 seconds later on a deflection, and Brock Nelson added two more, including a power play tally. Manson’s second goal of the night was sandwiched in between, and by the time the horn sounded to end the second period, the Avalanche led 8-1 and the outcome was all but sealed.
The Senators’ goaltending carousel only added to their woes. Starter Leevi Merilainen was pulled after allowing three goals, replaced by Mads Sogard, who fared no better—surrendering five goals on 16 shots before Merilainen returned for the third period. It was a rough night for Ottawa’s netminders, and the Avalanche took full advantage at every turn.
Colorado’s defense and goaltending were just as sharp. Scott Wedgwood stopped 29 shots and even got involved in a third-period scrum as tempers flared. The only blemish came in the final frame, when Brady Tkachuk scored a shorthanded goal for Ottawa. Otherwise, the Avalanche coasted through the third period, even giving Manson a cameo on the power play in a bid for his first career hat trick—much to the delight of the Ball Arena faithful.
While the Avalanche’s superstars shined, the depth contributions stood out just as much. Ross Colton’s three assists, along with points from Bardakov and Solovyov, underscored the team’s balanced attack. For a squad that had dropped two straight and lost key players to injury in recent games, this win was a statement: Colorado’s depth and resilience remain among the best in the NHL.
The victory pushed Colorado’s lead in the Central Division back up to 11 points and extended their unbeaten-in-regulation streak at Ball Arena this season. As coach Bednar put it, "You always want to make hay when the sun shines. Being at home for seven games in a row, you want to make the most of the home stand." Mission accomplished for game one.
Up next, the Avalanche look to keep the momentum rolling as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, January 10, with puck drop set for 2:00 p.m. MT. With this kind of start to their homestand, Colorado fans have every reason to believe the best is yet to come.
