The Colorado Avalanche has spent a large chunk of this season trying to outscore its goaltending problem. Mackenzie Blackwood made those issues look like a thing of the past in his Avs debut. Blackwood was outstanding, particularly in the opening half of this one, and eventually Colorado’s high-end offensive players helped him out in a 5-2 victory Saturday night against the Nashville Predators at Ball Arena. Blackwood made 37 saves in his first game since arriving from San Jose in a trade for Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko and a second-round pick. Along with Scott Wedgewood, who was acquired in a trade from Nashville just 10 days before that, goaltending has suddenly become a strength. Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen had two goals each in the win. There was a breakaway save in the second period that eventually led to a standing ovation for Blackwood. There were some saves in the third period that led to multiple “Black-wood” chants. Steven Stamkos ended Blackwood’s shutout bid with 6:57 remaining, finally beating him with Nashville’s 38th shot of the game. Then Luke Evangelista made it a 3-2 game with 4:52 left, scoring with his net empty and just as the one behind Blackwood was coming off its moorings. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, left, pursues the puck with Nashville Predators center Mark Jankowski in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) This was far from a great game for the Avalanche skaters, but the new goalie kept the Predators at bay for long enough, and then the big guns started scoring. The Avs struggled to create quality scoring chances in the first 30 minutes of this game, and the second line looked like it was scuffling at times. But one good shift flipped the script. Casey Mittelstadt controlled the puck behind the net while being pinned up against the boards. He wiggled free and found Ross Colton in the slot with a perfect pass. Colton’s one-timer beat Juuse Saros at 11:32 of the second. It was Colton’s 10th goal of the season — good for third on the team — in only 15 games played. He could still be Colorado’s No. 3 center at some point, but Colton has played so well on the wing that it certainly seems like Avs coach Jared Bednar would like to keep him there. That could mean trading for another center to improve the club’s depth there before the trade deadline, but for now Colton is fifth in the NHL in goals per game among players who have played in at least five contests. MacKinnon scored a goal for the third straight game to put Colorado up by two goals late in the second. Mikko Rantanen forechecked Nashville defenseman Marc Del Gaizo into a turnover, then fed MacKinnon cutting toward the net. The reigning MVP did not miss, tucking a shot under the crossbar with 1:08 left. Related Articles Colorado Avalanche | Utah blasts Avs to snap three-game winning streak as Colorado can’t solve goalie Karel Vejmelka Colorado Avalanche | Renck: Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood make Avs’ Stanley Cup goals possible again Colorado Avalanche | Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon power Avalanche past Penguins Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche Analysis: GM Chris MacFarland attempts to fix goaltending issues with bold, risky trade Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche sends Alexandar Georgiev to San Jose in multi-player trade that nets goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood MacKinnon set up Lehkonen for Colorado’s third goal. He carried the puck through the neutral zone and dropped it to Lehkonen, who skated in and blistered a shot into the top-right corner of the net 3:30 into the final period. After the Predators made it a game late in the third period, MacKinnon and Lehkonen both put one into the empty net to end any doubt. That’s 13 goals this season for MacKinnon, and a league-leading 50 points. MacKinnon had a scoring slump, collecting only three points (all assists) in an eight-game span before the start of a recent East Coast road trip. The 2024 league MVP has six goals and 14 points in the past seven games to regain his place atop the NHL scoring leaderboard. For about 30 minutes, the Avs were second-best in this contest, but Blackwood was the best player on the ice. Then Colorado’s offensive weaponry found its way. Competent goaltending and a few highlight-reel plays feel like a far more sustainable path to success for this Avalanche roster after a bumpy start to this season. Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.