Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon Stuns Columbus
Colorado Avalanche superstar center Nathan MacKinnon stunned the Columbus Blue Jackets with his game-winning goal in tonight’s game.
The Colorado Avalanche beat the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, and it was a thing of beauty. It was also a thing of Nate — without Nathan MacKinnon‘s laser shot, the game would have gone into overtime.
Tonight’s game marked the first time the Avalanche returned from a deficit in the third period to win the game. In fact, the Avs went into the third period down 1-0 with a goalie who looked red hot.
More from Analysis
- 4 goalies to replace Pavel Francouz if he has to miss time
- What does Ross Colton bring to the Colorado Avalanche?
- Colorado Avalanche in-depth look at Jonathan Drouin
- Colorado Avalanche without Gabriel Landeskog, will another wear the “C”?
- Avalanche vs. Kraken prediction and odds for NHL playoffs Game 3
They then scored two unanswered goals, one by Nazem Kadri and Nate’s laser.
They Avs also disrupted Elvis Merzlikins‘ shutout bid. In fact, before Kadri’s goal, Merslikins hadn’t been scored on at home in over 190 minutes. Colorado spoiled that. Nazem spoiled that.
Kadri’s goal tied the game. I was a little worried they’d go to overtime like the stupid Dallas-St. Louis game — really? Both teams had to get a point?! Anyway, back to the Avalanche game. I really didn’t want it to go into overtime.
Apparently neither did MacKinnon. Just under four minutes after Kadri tied the game, Nate scored the game-winner. And he did so in truly dramatic fashion.
Cale Makar got the puck in his own defensive zone and got it to Gabriel Landskog. Our captain carried it into the zone. For some reason, he had three Blue Jacket players defending him, which left MacKinnon wide open.
That’s always dangerous. As the BJs started to recognize their mistake, Landeskog passed the puck across to MacKinnon. He wound his stick back like he was getting ready to chop wood and unleashed a howitzer on Merzlikins.
Credit to Elvis, he saw the shot and reacted. However, Nate’s shot was such a laser it was all bar down and celly:
And what a celly! MacKinnon himself said that one felt better than a goal had in a while.
That goal wasn’t even one of Nate’s pretty plays. It was all Irish rage at wanting to just win.
That reminds me of something AJ Haefele of DNVR tweeted. He was apparently watching the Columbus feed, and according to AJ, the broadcasters claimed MacKinnon wants an “easy game” and doesn’t like to be touched.
Really, Columbus? A thinly veiled claim that MacKinnon is “soft.” I’m not joking when I reference his Irish rage — I even said it’s part of the reason he seems an odd choice for the Lady Byng. MacK will straight up truck right over you.
Ah, well, they’re probably just mad because Colorado chose MacKinnon instead of Seth Jones, who’s now with Columbus.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day. dark. Next
The Colorado Avalanche are already on their way to Minnesota to play the Wild in their second game of a back-to-back and final game of their five-game road trip.