Golden Knights Overwhelm Avalanche 8-4 in Season Opener

Mikko Rantanen's hat trick was not enough to counter defensive lapses and goaltending struggles for Colorado.

The Colorado Avalanche suffered a heavy 8-4 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights, with defensive errors and goaltending issues proving costly.
Mikko Rantanen scored a hat trick for Colorado, showcasing his offensive prowess despite the team's overall struggles.
Alexandar Georgiev was pulled after allowing five goals on 16 shots, with Justus Annunen conceding two more in relief.
Vegas's Ivan Barbashev, Mark Stone, and Victor Olofsson each scored twice, highlighting the Golden Knights' offensive depth.
The Avalanche will look to rebound as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets in their next game on Saturday.