Why the MacKinnon-Landeskog connection is making the Colorado Avalanche’s season even more magical

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon and team captain Gabriel Landeskog have teamed up for multiple goals over the course of their careers. When Landeskog missed three seasons due to injury, surgery, and rehab, there was a question as to whether their special connection would be rekindled or if it was a product of a by-gone era.

Even once Landeskog returned to the lineup during the playoffs and at the start of this season, the expectation was that his time away from the game and his position as a depth piece for the forward core meant that the golden days of his playing alongside MacKinnon were behind him. While he has still logged the majority of his minutes on the Avs second and third lines, there have been moments when coach Jared Bednar put him up with MacKinnon to create a spark for the team. That spark caught flame and produced four goals over the past three games for the duo.

Goal #1 – Landeskog from MacKinnon to tie the game

Trailing by a goal to the Minnesota Wild, Gabriel Landeskog put the Avs on his shoulders and willed this goal to happen. He battled for the puck in the neutral zone, got it deep, and fell down with a stick in the face for his efforts. The Avs were able to gain control as a result and MacKinnon found Landeskog at the back door where the captain was able to outmuscle the defender until he chipped it up and over the goalie to tie the game.

Goal #2 – MacKinnon from Landeskog 4v4

The Colorado Avalanche were already dominating the Montreal Canadiens when this goal happened, which shows that those two are leading by example when the team mantra is to play for the full sixty minutes regardless of game score. During two minutes of 4-on-4 time, Landeskog tagged up before receiving a pass in the offensive zone with MacKinnon streaking down the other wing. With two defenders back, Landeskog opted for the classic shot-rebound pass off the goalie’s pads. That shot ended up on MacKinnon’s stick and he was able to finish into the wide-open net. The goal took the dagger, which was already firmly stuck in the Canadiens, and twisted it for good measure.

Goal #3 – Landeskog from MacKinnon with the PP response

After the Canadiens tallied their second goal of the game with a power play goal, the Avalanche responded with a power play goal of their own. After some good movement and passing with Cale Makar and Martin Necas, MacKinnon puts a shot on goal that Landeskog gets just enough of to redirect it behind the goalie. The goal was reminiscent of many such tip goals that he has scored in the past and, although meaningless in the grand scheme of the final outcome of the game, is hopefully a sign of more such goals to come.

Goal #4 – MacKinnon from Landeskog for the insurance goal

Against the Vancouver Canucks, after yet another rush up the ice, albeit a somewhat clunky one, Landeskog hunts down and retrieves the bouncing puck. He buys himself just enough time and space to settle the puck and look for the open man. While this was happening, MacKinnon had the presence of mind to quietly sag back from his defender, leaving him just open enough for Landeskog to find him. That little bit of extra space allowed him to wire the puck past the goaltender for the team’s insurance goal. Thanks to that goal, the Avs coasted to victory in the third period.

More than the actual impact of each of the four goals on the games themselves was the impact that they had for the vibes on the team. MacKinnon is known for being serious and not showing a lot of emotion on the ice. However, after each of the goals where he partnered with Landeskog to score it, his face broke into a huge smile, and he enthusiastically embraced Landeskog with a big hug. It is obvious that those goals mean so much more to him. One cannot help but believe that their elevated levels of excitement also rub off on the team and increase the fun, passion, and commitment with which everyone is playing.