Valeri Nichushkin’s two goals and Nathan MacKinnon’s two assists led the Colorado Avalanche to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. MacKinnon finished the regular season with an impressive 140 points, breaking the franchise’s single-season points mark previously held by Peter Stastny. Despite not winning the Art Ross Trophy for leading points scorer–Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning took that honor with 144 points–MacKinnon is still considered a top contender for the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.
The Avalanche wasted no time in asserting their dominance, jumping out to a 4-0 lead midway through the first period. Mikko Rantanen, Josh Manson, and Zach Parise also contributed goals to help secure the win. The Oilers, missing several key players including Connor McDavid, put up a fight but ultimately couldn’t match the Avalanche’s intensity.
Justus Annunen’s 25 saves in goal coupled with a league-best 31 home wins capped off a successful regular season for the Avalanche. Head coach Jared Bednar expressed confidence in the team’s mental state heading into the playoffs, where they will face the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche are poised for a deep playoff run and are considered a strong contender for the Stanley Cup.
Edmonton, missing nearly 70% of their total season points production due to resting key players, had a tough outing against the Avalanche. Corey Perry acknowledged the team’s slow start but commended their effort in battling back. Goaltender Stuart Skinner struggled early on, allowing four goals in the first period before being replaced by Calvin Pickard.
MacKinnon’s 140-point season puts him in elite company, joining Kucherov in the 140-point club. This marks just the seventh time in NHL history that multiple players have achieved this milestone. However, concerns arose as forward Jonathan Drouin appeared shaken up and missed part of the game. Drouin’s absence could be a factor to monitor as the Avalanche head into the playoffs.
Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead
The Colorado Avalanche’s victory was a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking season. As the team gears up for playoff action, the fans and players alike are filled with anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead. The Avalanche’s strong performance against the Oilers serves as a testament to their potential for playoff success, and the team’s focus now shifts towards making a deep postseason run.
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