Game Preview: Avalanche Open Season With Kings Rematch

The Avalanche are back at Ball Arena, the Stanley Cup is still the goal, and their first opponent of the new season just happens to be the team they swept out of the playoffs four months ago.

Colorado opens its 31st season in Denver on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings , giving the Avalanche a chance to start a new season in a building that should be buzzing from the opening faceoff.

Nathan MacKinnon is coming off a 53-goal, 127-point season and has continued to produce against Los Angeles . He has two goals and five assists in his last four regular-season games against the Kings, along with four points in Colorado's four-game playoff sweep.