Avalanche overwhelm Senators with first-period barrage en route to 5-1 victory

Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon (right) celebrates a goal against the Ottawa Senators with teammates left wing Jonathan Drouin and defenceman Cale Makar during first period NHL action, Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - The Colorado Avalanche wasted no time asserting their dominance Thursday night, scoring four first-period goals en route to a commanding 5-1 victory over the playoff-hungry Ottawa Senators. 

Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, with his first as a member of the Avalanche (42-25-3), Cale Makar and Joel Kiviranta each scored in the opening frame, chasing Linus Ullmark from the net 17:29 into the contest. Ullmark allowed four goals on 13 shots.

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