MacKinnon Scores 5 Points as Avalanche Edge Canucks 5-4 in Overtime
VANCOUVER — Gavin Brindley scored 68 seconds into overtime, securing a 5-4 NHL victory for the Colorado Avalanche against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.
Game Summary
Jake DeBrusk of Vancouver forced overtime by deflecting in a Brock Boeser pass on a power play with 3:01 left in the third period. Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in the final period for Colorado, including a power play goal.
Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring with two goals in just 1 minute 28 seconds, one of which was on the power play, helping Colorado take a 2-0 lead in the first period. He also contributed three assists, finishing the game with five points.
Additional Contributions
- Valeri Nichushkin had two assists for the Avalanche, who lead the NHL with a 10-1-5 record.
- Cale Makar, the league's top-scoring defenseman with 21 points, added two assists.
- For the Canucks, goals came from Drew O’Connor (short-handed), Linus Karlsson (notably with a between-the-legs play), and Kiefer Sherwood, who scored his team-leading 10th goal off a turnover.
Team Form and Goalies
Both teams entered the matchup coming off wins Saturday: Vancouver defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3, while Colorado dominated the Edmonton Oilers 9-1.
Vancouver’s Kevin Lankinen, starting his second consecutive game, made 27 saves. Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots. Notably, Canucks’ goaltender Thatcher Demko missed his second straight game and did not dress after missing practice on Friday.
"Gavin Brindley scored 68 seconds into overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 5-4 NHL win over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday night."
Author's summary: Nathan MacKinnon's five-point performance led the Avalanche to a thrilling 5-4 overtime win against the Canucks, highlighting Colorado’s strong start this NHL season.