Avalanche top Mammoth 4-1 in preseason opener

The Colorado Avalanche secured a 4-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth in their preseason opener on September 20, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. Three goals in the third period helped the Avalanche pull away after a closely contested match. Martin Nečas opened the scoring for Colorado, and T.J. Hughes contributed a key goal early in the third period. Goaltender Ilya Nabokov's strong performance bolstered the Avalanche’s defense after he replaced Mackenzie Blackwood. This win marks a positive start for the Avalanche as they prepare for the regular season.

• 5:40 AMYahoo Sports — Recap: Avs Win 4-1 Over Utah in Preseason Opener