Nathan MacKinnon‘s Playoff Goal
Apr 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) reacts to his goal against the Minnesota Wild in the first period during game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
19-year-old Nathan MacKinnon is only in his second year in the NHL. Despite that, he’s already amassed a few highlight-worthy goals. This golden goal is particularly special because it came in the much-lauded playoffs last season against the Minnesota Wild.
Game 2 in Pepsi Center, first playoff appearance in four years and, of course, the first ever for then-rookie Nate MacKinnon. The game was already special.
Center Paul Stastny picked up the puck behind the Avalanche’s net. He passed it to Nate. Nate scooped up the puck at his own blue line, edged past a Minnesota player and turned on the rockets in his skates. He flew up the ice.
Minnesota defenseman Jared Spurgeon tried to stop him, but MacKinnon’s speed was too great. He broke Spurgeon’s ankles on the way to wristing the puck past goalie Ilya Brzgalov. Not only was it a highlight-reel playoff goal, it tied the game for the Colorado Avalanche.
The ankle-breaking goal was also Nate MacKinnon’s first-ever playoff goal: