Nathan MacKinnon notches second career four-goal game

Nathan MacKinnon (5 of 7, Wikimedia Commons)

Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon of Halifax, Nova Scotia notched his second career National Hockey League four-goal game on Wednesday. He accomplished the feat in a 6-2 Avalanche win over the Washington Capitals at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

MacKinnon scored his first three goals in the second period. After the Avalanche were up 1-0 after one period, he scored from Cale Makar of Calgary, Alberta and Mikko Rantanen at 2:39 of the middle frame on the power play. MacKinnon then put the Avalanche up 3-0 at the seven minute mark of the second period on the power play from Makar and Rantanen. This was the game-winning goal. MacKinnon then put Colorado up 4-0 from Rantanen at 9:16 of the second period. Then MacKinnon put the Avalanche up 6-1 from Ross Colton and Rantanen at 16:14 of the third period.

Two Canadians scored for the Avalanche. In addition to MacKinnon scoring four times, Makar scored once. MacKinnon also added an assist, as he helped set up Rantanen in the third period. MacKinnon, who had five points, was one of two Canadians on the Avalanche with a multi-point game. The other was Makar, who had three points (one goal and two assists).

The other time MacKinnon had a four-goal game came on December 21, 2023 in a 6-4 Avalanche win over the Ottawa Senators. Prior to this season, MacKinnon had six three-goal career hat tricks.

In 2023-24, MacKinnon has 30 goals and 52 assists for 82 points. He leads the NHL in assists and points. MacKinnon is also a +16 with 28 penalty minutes, 31 power-play points, seven game-winning goals, 366 faceoff wins, 43 blocked shots, 33 hits, 22 takeaways and 50 giveaways.

With the win, the Avalanche are tied for first place in the Central Division with the Winnipeg Jets. Both teams have 65 points. Colorado’s record is 31 wins, 14 regulation losses, and three overtime losses.

 

 

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