On a night when Gabriel Landeskog became the second Avalanche to accept the Calder Memorial Trophy (NHL's Rookie of the Year Award*), the Avs took command in the third period and won their first game of the season beating the LA Kings, 3-1. Landeskog, notching his first goal of the season, started the scoring early in the third period and helped open the flood gates. Playing in front of a sell out opening night crowd in Denver, Landeskog showed all who could see the "C" on his sweater, marking him as the youngest captain in the history of the NHL.

Until the third period, things looked bleak for the Avs as goal tending was at its best. The Kings scored mid way through the first period and after two periods both goalies had stopped 41 shots on goals with LA maintaining a 1-0 lead through two periods. Meanwhile the Avs were helping the Kings by committing 6 penalties. Fortunately the penalty killing team held tough and shut the Kings out. The Avs goalie, Varlamov, played lights out on the home ice earning him his first victory with 21 saves and helping the Avs until the offense found its groove.

The Avs have a quick turnaround facing the Blue Jackets on Thursday. With the short season, hockey will be fast and furious just like the Avs in the third period tonight. Nice home opening win and to add to Landeskog take for the night, he landed the first star. Big night for the up and coming Captain.

*Yes Peter Forsberg won it too. but he was a Nordique!