Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Cale Makar and Joel Kiviranta all scored in Colorado's first-period barrage and the Avalanche cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. Nelson finished with two goals — his first two since being acquired by Colorado from the New York Islanders — and Scott Wedgewood made 15 saves.

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.