MacKinnon Reaches 40 Goals As Avalanche Shut Out Red Wings

At Little Caesars Arena on January 31, 2026, the Colorado Avalanche delivered a statement win, blanking the Detroit Red Wings 5-0 in a contest packed with milestones, redemption, and dominant performances. Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche’s electrifying center, stole the spotlight by netting two goals and an assist, becoming the first NHL player to reach the 40-goal mark this season—a feat he’s now accomplished for the fourth time in his illustrious career.

MacKinnon’s performance didn’t just snap his own five-game scoring drought, the longest he’s endured this season, but also reaffirmed his status as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive threats. With his two-goal outburst, MacKinnon raised his season total to 91 points, trailing only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid in the league scoring race. His assist on Brent Burns’ opening goal also pushed his career points tally to 699, inching him ever closer to the 700-point milestone that only a select few reach.

“It’s always nice to get back on the scoresheet, especially after a bit of a dry spell,” MacKinnon said after the game, his relief evident. “But more important is how the team responded tonight. We played fast, we played together, and we didn’t give them much to work with.”

The Avalanche wasted no time setting the tone. Just 6:44 into the first period, MacKinnon fed Burns for a rocket from the right circle, beating Detroit’s John Gibson high on the short side for Burns’ ninth of the season. That goal, Burns’ 270th career tally, tied him with the legendary Bobby Orr for seventh all-time among defensemen—a historic moment in its own right.

MacKinnon followed up with a dazzling solo effort midway through the opening frame. After collecting the puck along the boards, he spun away from pressure near the blue line and unleashed a shot through heavy traffic, finding the back of the net behind a screened Gibson. The goal was a testament to MacKinnon’s creativity and confidence, especially after his recent scoring slump.

“We’ve seen Nate do some special things, but that one was up there,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters. “He’s got that ability to change a game on his own, and tonight he showed it again.”

Colorado’s relentless attack continued early in the second period. Ross Colton, who had gone 25 games without a goal before scoring in the previous outing, made it two straight with a quick finish off Brock Nelson’s centering pass just 1:24 into the period. Colton’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for the Avs, who have needed secondary scoring during stretches of the season.

At 13:33 of the second, MacKinnon struck again, this time capitalizing on a Red Wings turnover in their own zone. Artturi Lehkonen, who tallied two assists on the night, found MacKinnon in the left circle for a blistering one-timer that made it 4-0. The goal marked MacKinnon’s 18th in 22 career games against Detroit, a stat that underscores his knack for rising to the occasion against traditional rivals.

“The puck just seems to find him in those spots,” Lehkonen said. “When you’re on the ice with Nate, you know something good is about to happen.”

Meanwhile, Avalanche netminder Mackenzie Blackwood turned in a flawless performance between the pipes, stopping all 28 shots he faced to notch his third shutout of the season and the 17th of his NHL career. Blackwood’s calm presence was especially crucial during a third-period surge by Detroit, highlighted by a glove save on James van Riemsdyk from point-blank range.

“The guys did a great job keeping things to the outside, but you always want to come up big when you’re called upon,” Blackwood remarked. “Shutouts are a team effort, and tonight we were dialed in.”

Detroit, on the other hand, struggled to generate offense and left the ice frustrated after being blanked for the fourth time this season. The Red Wings went winless on their three-game homestand, and with their next home game not until March 4, they’ll have to regroup on the road. Gibson, who allowed four goals on 13 shots, was replaced by Cam Talbot after two periods. Talbot stopped three of the four shots he faced in relief.

For Colorado, the win was a much-needed bounce-back after dropping two straight games. They closed out their four-game road trip with a 2-2 record, salvaging momentum as the Olympic break approaches. The victory also extended their dominance over Detroit, improving to a staggering 14-0-1 in their last 15 meetings—a streak that’s become a talking point whenever these two storied franchises collide.

Parker Kelly added the exclamation point midway through the third period, scoring his 12th goal of the season and fourth in the last seven games—a career high for the 25-year-old center. The Avalanche’s depth was on full display, with contributions up and down the lineup despite being without winger Martin Necas, who sat out with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

Special teams also played a role, even if the scoresheet didn’t reflect it. Colorado’s power play, bolstered by the presence of both Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin on the top unit, generated 14 shot attempts in just two opportunities. While they didn’t convert, the puck movement and urgency suggested the unit is trending in the right direction ahead of the crucial stretch run.

“We kept things simple and got a lot of pucks on net,” said Nichushkin. “That’s what you want to see, especially as we get closer to the playoffs.”

The Red Wings, meanwhile, will have to wait more than a month to return home, making this loss sting all the more. As for the Avalanche, their focus now shifts to the upcoming rematch against Detroit in Colorado on February 3—a game that promises to be just as intense, given the recent history between these teams.

With MacKinnon firing on all cylinders, Blackwood standing tall, and the Avalanche’s supporting cast finding their groove, Colorado looks poised to make a push as the season enters its second half. The Red Wings, meanwhile, face a critical juncture as they search for answers and try to snap out of their scoring funk away from home.

The next chapter in this classic rivalry is just around the corner, and if this latest showdown is any indication, fans should expect plenty more fireworks when the puck drops again in Denver.