Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon of Halifax, Nova Scotia has been named the National Hockey League First Star of the month for January according to Jackie Kay of SB Nation on Friday. MacKinnon had 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 12 games. He was also a +8 with four penalty minutes, nine power-play points, five game-winning goals, six hits, 13 blocked shots, and 83 faceoff wins.
MacKinnon’s most notable game in the month came on January 24. He had four goals and one assist for five points in a 6-2 Avalanche win over the Washington Capitals. It was the second time this season and second time in his career that MacKinnon had four goals in a game. He also achieved the mark in a 6-4 Avalanche win over the Ottawa Senators on December 21. Interestingly, MacKinnon was the NHL Player of the Month for December too.
In 49 games this season, MacKinnon leads the NHL with 53 assists. He also is a +17 with 30 penalty minutes, 32 power-play points, seven game-winning goals, 224 shots on goal, 43 blocked shots, 33 hits, 22 takeaways, and 51 giveaways.
The Avalanche currently leads the Central Division with 67 points. They have a record of 32 wins, 14 regulation losses and three losses in extra time. Colorado has one more point than the second place Dallas Stars and two more points than the third place Winnipeg Jets.
