The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-1 in their preseason opener at Ball Arena on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Beckett Hamilton and Taylor Makar both scored in their preseason NHL debuts to help secure the victory for Colorado.
Colorado established early dominance, outshooting Utah 3-0 in the first 5:40 of the game and leading the Mammoth 6-3 in shots through the first 20 minutes. Hamilton opened the scoring at 8:54 of the second period with a shot from the right doorstep following an assist from Martin Necas. The Mammoth responded when Yegor Borikov scored at 15:27 of the second period to tie the game.
Gavin Brindley gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead at 1:52 of the third period, assisted by Nazem Kadri. Following a minor penalty assessed to Utah, Brock Nelson doubled the lead at 2:27 of the third period with a one-timer set up by Artturi Lehkonen. Cale Makar completed the scoring at 17:27 of the third period on a partial breakaway assisted by Brindley.
In goal, Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all seven shots he faced, while Ilya Nabokov made 16 saves in his preseason NHL debut. Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar noted that Brindley and Makar stood out due to their quickness, effort, and competitiveness. Bednar also highlighted T.J. Hughes for his smart puck movement on the power play, as well as the performance of both Blackwood and Nabokov in goal.
Makar noted that he specifically wanted to score against Mammoth goaltender Michael Hrabal, a player he previously faced during college.
The Avalanche will continue preseason play on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets at 6 p.m. MDT.
