Nathan MacKinnon propelled the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night in Denver, netting two goals and showcasing his exceptional skill. The Avalanche continue their impressive form, now boasting a record of 14-0-3 in their last 17 games, marking the second-longest point streak in franchise history, just shy of their 17-0-2 stretch during the 2021-22 season.
The game marked a tumultuous night for the Avalanche, as goaltender Scott Wedgewood exited in the second period due to an upper-body injury. Mackenzie Blackwood stepped in admirably, making 11 saves to help secure the victory. In contrast, the Canucks, who faced their sixth loss in seven games, managed to only score once, with Linus Karlsson netting his fifth goal of the season. Vancouver’s Kevin Lankinen was busy in goal, stopping 28 shots throughout the match.
The action began with Vancouver taking an early lead, thanks to Karlsson’s goal just before the three-minute mark of the first period. However, the Avalanche rallied back, with Brock Nelson scoring to give Colorado a 2-1 advantage by the second period. MacKinnon’s late first-period goal tied the game, and he then secured the victory by converting a one-timer off Gabriel Landeskog’s pass, sealing the score at 3-1.
MacKinnon’s impressive performance continues to impress, as he has accumulated eight goals and five assists in the last seven games, leading the NHL with 22 goals this season.
As the Canucks prepare to begin a four-game homestand against Utah on Friday, the Avalanche will embark on their own four-game road trip starting with the New York Islanders on Thursday night. This matchup promises to be an exciting challenge for both teams as they navigate the competitive NHL landscape.