Fans in Raleigh were treated to a night of nostalgia, drama, and high-stakes hockey as the Colorado Avalanche stormed back to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 at Lenovo Center on January 3, 2026. It wasn’t just any regular-season clash—both teams donned their historic throwback uniforms, with the Avalanche skating as the Quebec Nordiques and the Hurricanes reviving the beloved Hartford Whalers look. The retro jerseys set the stage for a matchup packed with emotional returns, record chases, and a wild third-period comeback that left everyone buzzing.
Heading into the game, the Avalanche were the undisputed juggernaut of the NHL. Sitting on top of the league with a staggering 67 points, Colorado had lost only twice in regulation and was riding a nine-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 41-18 in that span. Nathan MacKinnon, the league’s points leader, was in the midst of a red-hot season, tallying 34 goals and 36 assists for 70 points before the halfway mark. The Avalanche’s offensive depth was on full display, with three players boasting more points than Carolina’s top scorer, Sebastian Aho, who had 40.
Yet, the Hurricanes had history on their side. They led the season series 1-0, having bested the Avalanche 5-4 in a shootout back in October. The anticipation was palpable, not just for the action on the ice, but for the emotional homecoming of former Hurricanes Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and Brent Burns, all now key contributors for Colorado. Necas, in particular, had flourished in Denver, becoming the Avs’ second-leading goal scorer and points producer with 19 goals and 51 points, and recently inking an eight-year extension. Burns, meanwhile, had settled into a strong role on Colorado’s blue line, posting five goals, 15 assists, and a +20 rating.
The goaltending storylines were equally compelling. Colorado’s regular starter, Mackenzie Blackwood, was placed on injured reserve ahead of the game, thrusting Scott Wedgewood (17-1-4, 2.13 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO) into the spotlight. Wedgewood, overlooked for Team Canada’s Olympic roster, entered with something to prove. On the Carolina side, Frederik Andersen (5-9-2, 3.38 GAA, .865 SV%) got the nod, with rookie Brandon Bussi in reserve as Pyotr Kochetkov was out for the season. Shayne Gostisbehere, Carolina’s top scoring defenseman, returned from injury, a much-needed boost for a team seeking offensive punch from the blue line.
The first period saw Carolina jump ahead, with Sebastian Aho—recently named to the Finnish Olympic team—netting his 300th career goal on a short-handed breakaway with 1:51 remaining. Andersen was sharp early, turning aside Colorado’s first 16 shots. The Hurricanes’ energy was unmistakable, fueled by the throwback crowd and the emotional returns of their former stars.
Early in the second, the Avalanche struck back. Gabriel Landeskog wrapped around the net and tucked the puck home just 1:47 into the period, breaking Andersen’s shutout bid. The Hurricanes answered quickly, as Nikolaj Ehlers converted on the power play three minutes later to restore Carolina’s lead at 2-1. The building erupted again when Andrei Svechnikov finished off a feed from Aho at 7:50, putting the Canes up 3-1 and seemingly in control. Through two periods, Carolina was 15-2-1 when leading after forty minutes—a stat that had spelled doom for most visitors this season.
But the third period belonged entirely to the Avalanche. Brock Nelson, fresh off his selection to the U.S. Olympic squad, ignited the comeback with a power-play goal just 1:09 into the frame. A mere 33 seconds later, Jack Drury—one of the night’s returning heroes—pounced on a rebound to tie the game at 3-3. Suddenly, the momentum had flipped, and the Hurricanes found themselves on their heels.
Nelson wasn’t done. At 7:30, he blasted home his second power-play marker of the period, giving Colorado its first lead at 4-3. The Avalanche power play, ranked just 29th in the league at 15.9%, came alive at the perfect moment, netting two crucial goals when it mattered most. Cale Makar, the dynamic defenseman, chipped in with two assists, while Nathan MacKinnon continued his MVP-caliber campaign with two helpers of his own.
Carolina pushed hard in the final minutes, but Wedgewood stood tall, making 10 of his 25 saves in the third period alone. With Andersen pulled for an extra attacker, MacKinnon was ultimately awarded a goal with 18 seconds left after being tripped on a breakaway toward the empty net, sealing the victory and extending Colorado’s winning streak to 10 games and their point streak to 13.
The loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Hurricanes, marking their third consecutive regulation defeat—their first such skid of the season. Carolina, now 24-14-3, dropped to 15-2-1 when leading after two periods, a testament to Colorado’s relentless attack and never-say-die attitude. Andersen, who stopped 30 shots, suffered his ninth straight loss, while Sebastian Aho’s milestone goal was bittersweet in the wake of the defeat.
For the Avalanche, the night was a showcase of resilience, depth, and star power. Brock Nelson’s two power-play goals capped a three-game scoring streak, while the returning trio of Necas, Drury, and Burns made their presence felt in their old stomping grounds. The decision to don throwback jerseys added an extra layer of spectacle, with fans from both sides relishing the nod to hockey history.
As if the night needed more storylines, the Olympic announcements for Aho and Jaccob Slavin (selected to Team USA) added a sense of pride and anticipation for both franchises. Shayne Gostisbehere’s return from injury was a bright spot for Carolina, offering hope for improved production from the blue line moving forward.
Both teams now turn the page quickly, with Colorado heading to Florida and Carolina traveling to New Jersey for back-to-back matchups. But for one unforgettable night in Raleigh, hockey fans were treated to a thrilling blend of past and present—a reminder that in the NHL, no lead is safe, and the story is never over until the final horn sounds.
