Nathan Mackinnon scored the filthiest goal in OT against the Rangers on Saturday

Sometimes you get easy wins, and sometimes you have to push harder an earn it. That’s what the Colorado Avalanche did on Saturday against the New York Rangers.

After one period of play, both teams were held scoreless. It took a little bit to get going, but both teams eventually found their footing. In the second frame, Colorado scored the lone goal of the period and it led to a 1-0 lead into the third. That’s when things started going wild.

Colorado scored one, to give them two goals on the night, but the Rangers also ended up scoring to tie the game after a defensive failure on the Avs’ part. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal in the third period where he had extreme concentration, tracking the puck and swatting it mid-air into the net past Igor Shesterkin.

What was highly controversial in the game was a goal for New York, where the puck was clearly played with a high stick from the Rangers. It ended up being a good goal upon review, but it led to questions from Avs Faithful across social media, and for good reason. Once a puck is played with a high stick, any sort of goal immediately after should be waved off.

In the end, it didn’t even matter…

Nathan MacKinnon, everybody!

We’ve seen so many highlight reel goals by the Avs superstar, it isn’t even fair. This afternoon was yet another one, and it was gorgeous.

When Nathan MacKinnon is charging at you, a lot of the time, it is game over for you as a defender. He’s got tremendous speed and his awareness is outstanding. It’s almost like he just ignores the players trying to defend him and just chargest to the net.

The backhand shot is one of the craziest shots in all of hockey. It’s like throwing a changeup in baseball: Very hard to predict. Where exactly is that puck going? How long until it gets to you as a goaltender? Those are some things goalies have to think about in a split second. To do it against a top goalie in Igor Shesterkin is also an impressive accomplishment.

MacKinnon led the Avs to a hard-fought win that shouldn’t have even gone to overtime. At the end of the day, you can only control what you can control. The Avs came away with the win and their eyes are set on Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.