Barbashev scores 2 goals, 2 assists, Golden Knights lead Avalanche in opener

Jack Eichel had four assists, Mark Stone had a goal and two assists and Shea Theadore had three assists for Vegas, which has won seven of its first eight season-opening games. Victor Olofsson scored twice in his debut after signing a one-year contract as a free agent on July 2, and Adin Hill made 27 saves.

Mikko Rantanen scored a hat trick and Nathan MacKinnon and Samuel Girard each had two assists for Colorado. Alexandar Georgiev allowed five goals on 16 shots before being replaced by Justus Annunen, who allowed two goals on five shots.

It was the start of the season for both teams.

Rantanen gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 10:48 of the first period with a one-timer from above the left circle.

Just 27 seconds later, Olofsson made it 1-1 when his wrist shot from a tight angle below the left circle beat Georgiev near the side.

Barbashev gave Vegas a 2-1 lead at 18:32 with a snap shot from the right circle.

Stone made it 3-1 just 25 seconds later, completing a tackle with Eichel.

Rantanen made it 3-2 with a power play goal at 4:15 of the second and beat Hill with a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle.

Zach Whitecloud made it 4-2 at 5:49 with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle.

Casey Middlestadt brought Colorado to within 4-3 at 17:32 with a backhanded rebound that hit the right post.

Olofsson increased the score to 5:3 on the power play with a wrist shot from the right circle (19:46).

Rantanen completed his hat trick and cut the lead to 5-4 at 6:59 of the third period with a one-timer from the right circle on the power play.

Stone made it 6-4 at 8:29 with Eichel's one-timer on the power play.

Barbashev extended the lead to 7-4 at 13:54 with a backhand from the rush.

Brett Howden scored an unanswered goal at 19:24 to make the final score 8-4.