MacKinnon Scores Five Points as Avalanche Defeat Canucks 5-4 in Overtime
VANCOUVER — Gavin Brindley scored 68 seconds into overtime, securing a 5-4 NHL victory for the Colorado Avalanche against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.
Game Highlights
- Jake DeBrusk of Vancouver tied the game by deflecting a Brock Boeser pass during a power play with just over 3 minutes left in the third period.
- Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in the final period for Colorado, including one power-play goal.
- Nathan MacKinnon had a standout game, scoring twice early in the first period to give Colorado a 2-0 lead, including a power-play goal, and adding three assists for five points total.
- Valeri Nichushkin contributed two assists, while Cale Makar, leading all defensemen with 21 points, added two assists.
- For Vancouver, Drew O’Connor scored short-handed, Linus Karlsson impressed with a play between the legs, and Kiefer Sherwood netted his team-leading 10th goal of the season following a turnover.
Team Records and Goaltender Performance
- Colorado Avalanche hold the league’s best record at 10-1-5.
- Both teams came into the game following wins on Saturday: Vancouver defeated Columbus 4-3, and Colorado crushed Edmonton 9-1.
- Vancouver’s Kevin Lankinen started his second consecutive game, stopping 27 shots.
- Avalanche’s goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves.
- Canucks’ starting goalie Thatcher Demko did not dress for the second straight game, missing practice Friday.
“Jake DeBrusk forced the overtime, deflecting in a Brock Boeser pass on a power play with just 3:01 remaining in the third period.”
“Nathan MacKinnon scored twice in a span of 1:28, once on the power play, to give Colorado a 2-0 first-period lead. He also added three assists for a five-point game.”
MacKinnon's dominant offensive display led Colorado to a thrilling overtime victory, maintaining their top league standing.