The Colorado Avalanche have made an explosive start to the 2026-27 NHL season, matching an offensive feat that has not been accomplished in more than 30 years. With 23 goals through their first four games, Colorado has matched the scoring pace of the 1993-94 Los Angeles Kings, led by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.
An Avalanche of goals 😳
Colorado has 23 goals through 4 games. The most by an NHL team since the 1993-94 Kings (captained by Wayne Gretzky). https://t.co/J097yR5izg
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) October 9, 2026
The Avalanche’s early-season performance has established them as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams, combining high-scoring performances with contributions from across the lineup.
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Avalanche’s historic offensive start
May 26, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) shoots the puck during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Colorado opened its campaign with an emphatic 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, setting the tone for its remarkable start. The team followed that performance by scoring six goals against the St. Louis Blues before recording two against the Winnipeg Jets.
On Thursday night, the Avalanche returned to their high-scoring ways, putting seven goals past the winless Calgary Flames to reach 23 goals in four games.
The last team to reach that mark was Gretzky’s Kings during the 1993-94 season, highlighting the significance of Colorado’s early offensive explosion.
The Avalanche have also demonstrated impressive balance throughout their lineup. Fifteen different players have recorded at least two points during the opening four games, making Colorado difficult to contain and preventing opposing teams from focusing on just one or two scoring threats.
Defensively, the team has allowed only 11 goals, giving it a league-best plus-12 goal differential. That combination of offensive firepower and defensive efficiency has helped Colorado establish itself as an early contender.
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MacKinnon leads Colorado’s charge
Apr 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson (44) and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) battle for the puck in the first period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Former NHL MVP Nathan MacKinnon has played a central role in the Avalanche’s hot start. The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner leads Colorado with eight points, including three goals and five assists, through the first four games.
MacKinnon enters the new season following an outstanding campaign in which he led the NHL with 53 goals and finished third in league scoring with 127 points. His continued production has provided a major boost to an already potent Colorado attack.
Despite winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season as the NHL’s best regular-season team, the Avalanche ultimately fell short of their championship ambitions, suffering a sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.
Colorado will now look to maintain its momentum when it hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. If its opening performances are any indication, the Avalanche could be preparing for another dominant regular season.
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