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MacKinnon extends point streak amid challenges

  
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Nathan MacKinnon playing the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka (Photo courtesy of Michael Martin/NHLI)

In their first game back home, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4–3. The two teams faced three unique challenges, two of which resulted in overturned goals.

First period

The first half of the first period looked promising for the Colorado Avalanche. A goal from Ross Colton four minutes into the game gave them the momentum. Colton was assisted by Miles Wood and Bowen Byram on the play.

Only three minutes later, an Arizona goal from Matt Dumba weakened their momentum. Former Avalanche forward, Alexander Kerfoot, and Jack McBain picked up the assist.

Collecting his 20th goal of the season, Matias Maccelli and J.J. Moser assisted Lawson Crouse. The Coyotes outshot the Avalanche 7–15 to give them the lead heading into the second.

Second period

Jack Johnson opened the second period with a goal with help from Ryan Johansen. This goal marks Johnson’s third of the season and Johansen’s ninth assist.

The Coyotes responded soon after with a goal from Logan Cooley. Maccelli and Dumba both picked up points on this play as well, allowing them a multi-point night.

Just seconds later, Nathan MacKinnon found the back of the net after a pass from Byram and Johnson. Arizona tried challenging this goal but failed and allowed the Avalanche a power play.

With this goal, MacKinnon extends his home-point streak to 26 games. He also passes Bobby Orr for the second-longest season-opening home point streak. He now sits behind Wayne Gretzky.

Also on this goal, Johnson gained his second point of the night. This marks his third multi-point game of the season.

Third period

The second challenge of the night came after a goal from Kerfoot. After reviewing the play, the referees determined that the goal was offside and overturned it. Moments later, a Colorado goal from Jonathan Drouin was also offsides and overturned.

With six minutes remaining in regulation, Devon Toews ripped one past Arizona goaltender, Karel Vejmelka. Drouin and MacKinnon both tallied assists.

Alexander George held his own in the final two minutes of play while Arizona played with an empty net. He had multiple huge saves after Artturi Lehkonen spent the last minute in the penalty box.

Takeaways

Following a six-game road trip, where the team struggled, a few games at home are exactly what the Avalanche needs. The Avalanche now have 21 home wins this season which is good for first in the league.

The Avalanche are back at home in Ball Arena Tuesday night to face off against the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver currently sits at No.1 in the league with a record of 37-13-6 and 80 points so far.

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