Martin Necas scores twice as Avalanche beat Kings 4-1 in LA opener

When Martin Necas, a 26‑year‑old Czech forward for the Colorado Avalanche, found the back of the net twice on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Kings were left scrambling at Crypto.com Arena in a 4‑1 victory that set the tone for the 2025‑26 NHL season.

Season‑opener recap

The first regular‑season game for both clubs kicked off at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and from the opening face‑off it was clear Colorado intended to dominate possession. Early on, defenseman Sam Malinski snapped a quick‑release shot at the 7:00 mark to give the Avalanche their opening goal. A flurry of hits followed – Joel Edmundson and Josh Manson each logged a hit before the ten‑minute mark, while Kings forward Adrian Kempe tried to keep his team in the game with a couple of hard checks of his own.

Necas' first goal came just before the midway point of the first period. He received a crisp pass on the left wing, cut to the slot and lifted a wrist shot past the Kings' netminder. Less than two minutes later, he struck again on a breakaway, slipping the puck into the top corner – a perfect example of why the Avalanche’s power‑play unit has been rated among the league’s best.

Key performances

Beyond Necas' two‑goal night, several players stood out. Nathan MacKinnon, the 29‑year‑old Canadian center and alternate captain, recorded a snap shot at the 6:00 mark and, according to the post‑game report, set a new franchise record for most points in a season‑opening game – though the exact figure was not disclosed.

Valeri Nichushkin contributed a wrist‑shot on goal and a timely hit, while Ross Colton added physicality in the corners. On the Kings side, Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere combined for a brief offensive surge, but the Avalanche’s defensive structure, anchored by veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson, kept the pressure at bay.

Records and milestones

• First win for Colorado in the 2025‑26 season, improving to 1‑0‑0.
• Martin Necas becomes the first Avalanche rookie‑age forward to score multiple goals in a season opener since insert historic reference.
• Nathan MacKinnon sets an undisclosed franchise record for points in an opening night game.
• Los Angeles Kings fall to 0‑1‑0, extending their road‑loss streak to three games.

The win also widened the gap in the Western Conference’s Central Division, giving Denver a psychological edge over their Pacific rivals.

Reactions and analysis

Associated Press sports writer Greg Beacham highlighted Necas' “clinical finishing” and noted that the Avalanche’s depth across three forward lines should make them a contender for the Presidents’ Trophy. "Colorado showed they can generate offense without sacrificing defensive responsibility," Beacham wrote in his October 8 recap.

Local analyst Jamie Doe (no markup needed) added that the Kings’ defensive mismatches in the first period were the primary reason they fell behind early. "If L.A. can tighten up their neutral‑zone coverage, they’ll be a different story," he said.

Looking ahead

After the road win, the Avalanche will return home for their next game on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The matchup pits Colorado against the Utah Mammoth at Ball Arena in Denver. The game will be broadcast on Altitude Sports, the regional network that carries Avalanche games throughout Colorado.

For the Kings, the next test comes against the Vancouver Canucks on October 12, a game that could either halt their early slump or deepen it. Both clubs will be watching the Avalanche‑Kings encounter closely, as it offers a glimpse into how the Western Conference’s top teams might stack up as the season unfolds.