Olofsson Powers Avalanche to Defeat Devils and Snap Losing Streak

In an electrifying showdown on Frozen Frenzy night, the Colorado Avalanche erupted to rout the New Jersey Devils 8-4, putting an emphatic end to New Jersey’s remarkable eight-game winning streak. Victor Olofsson was the undisputed star, notching a career-high five points with his first-ever NHL hat trick and two assists, igniting the Ball Arena faithful and sending shockwaves through the league. The night brimmed with drama and storylines worthy of a playoff classic. Just days after the Devils had edged out the Avalanche in overtime, Colorado returned with vengeance in their hearts and a point to prove. The Avalanche, coming off four consecutive losses, looked desperate, hungry—and absolutely unstoppable. The game exploded into action from the opening whistle. An early miscue by Devils’ returning goaltender Jacob Markstrom handed Colorado a power play, and Martin Nečas wasted no time converting. The Avalanche’s fourth line then delivered as Parker Kelly set up Zakhar Bardakov for his first career NHL goal—a poetic moment, given Bardakov was originally drafted by the Devils. Olofsson’s scoring spree began in the second period, extending Colorado’s lead to 3-0. Soon after, a 5-on-3 advantage saw Nathan MacKinnon rocket home a signature one-timer, and then Kelly capitalized on another breakaway for a 5-0 Avalanche cushion. The energy in the arena was electric, the home fans sensing redemption. But in true hockey fashion, the Devils refused to go quietly. In an astonishing four-minute burst, New Jersey rattled off four unanswered goals. Stefan Noesen, Dougie Hamilton, Dawson Mercer, and Jack Hughes all found the back of the net, slicing Colorado’s lead to a precarious 5-4 and turning the game into a heart-stopping rollercoaster. Just as anxiety crept into Avalanche hearts, MacKinnon—who surpassed Milan Hejduk for fourth on the franchise’s all-time goals list with his 375th and 376th career tallies—struck again on the power play, restoring order and momentum to the home side. The third period belonged to Olofsson. He buried another power-play goal, then sealed his hat trick with a lethal wrist shot above the left circle, sending the crowd into euphoria. Cale Makar orchestrated the offense with surgical precision, racking up four assists and becoming the first defenseman in franchise history with three four-assist games. On the Devils’ side, Jack Hughes continued his electric form, notching his ninth goal of the season, while veteran Brent Burns tied the legendary Bobby Orr for 11th all-time in points by a defenseman with an assist on Kelly’s goal. The Avalanche’s win not only avenged their earlier loss but also snapped their losing streak in spectacular style, hinting at a possible turning point in their season. With four power-play goals and contributions from every line, Colorado’s firepower was on full display. The Devils, meanwhile, saw their penalty kill—second best in the NHL at 93.5%—suffer a rare collapse, and their historic win streak came crashing down. Both teams now look ahead: Colorado faces the Vegas Golden Knights on Halloween, while New Jersey aims to regroup against the San Jose Sharks. If this rematch was any indication, the race in the NHL’s early season is only heating up. For full stats and game breakdown, visit the Avalanche vs. Devils Game Recap on ESPN and read more detailed analysis on Mile High Hockey.