Opening Playoff Tally
Almost entirely because of Nathan MacKinnon’s breakout season, the Colorado Avalanche made the playoffs. Well, MacKinnon took his scoring prowess into the playoffs against the Predators. He scored his first goal in Game 2:
Now, technically this goal isn’t five-on-five. Both teams have a player in the penalty box, though, so they’re still even strength. Plus, we get to watch MacKinnon fly.
Nathan has to work his way past two Predators defenders — by then, teams knew the deal. With a final step, he gets past the last pest and speeds across the offensive zone. Still at full speed, he puts the puck on his backhand and whips the puck past goalie Pekka Rinne. Sorry-not-sorry, Pekka.
Pekka Rinne won the Vezina Trophy for goal tending. The votes were cast before MacKinnon did this to him.
(Yes, I know the Colorado Avalanche lost this game. I’m going to break some more rules in the next slide.)