Nathan MacKinnon dropped his gloves in a rare third-period fight with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke, helping the Colorado Avalanche to an 8-4 season-opening win at Ball Arena in Denver.
The altercation began after Clarke delivered a hit along the boards and ran into MacKinnon a second time.
MacKinnon answered with a lower-leg stick chop before challenging Clarke, winning the scrap and tossing his helmet toward the boards on his way to the penalty box.
Colorado scored just 43 seconds later, turning the moment into momentum.
MacKinnon finished with two goals in the high-scoring matchup and said he started the physical clash after a verbal exchange with Clarke.
"It happens," MacKinnon said. "It's an intense game.
He didn't say a great word to me. I didn't like the word, and … yeah, we fought."
It was MacKinnon's first fight since Dec. 27, 2024, when he fought Utah's Barrett Hayton.
He also acknowledged Clarke's competitive style after the game.
"He plays hard. He gets under guys' skin," MacKinnon said.
"He's a really good defenseman, but when you play like that sometimes you have to fight. He's a good player though.
He plays hard."
Teammates and coach react
Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood noted the energy the team's star center brought to the sequence.
"(Expletive) right," Blackwood said.
"I don't want him to fight much because you don't want him to get hurt, but I don't know, the guy's got big balls."
Earlier in the game, Clarke was involved in a collision that sent Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar awkwardly into the boards.
Head coach Jared Bednar backed his captain's competitive drive while stressing the need to protect his long-term health.
"I love the passion," Bednar said. "It's the answer I'll give you every time (MacKinnon) fights.
Love the passion. Love that he sticks up for his teammates.
Want to make sure he's healthy coming out of it."
