Nathan MacKinnon, a star player for the Colorado Avalanche, saw his impressive 35-game home points streak come to an end in a disappointing 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers at Ball Arena. This marked the second-longest home points streak in NHL history, falling just short of Wayne Gretzky’s record of 40 games during the 1988-89 season.
One of the key moments in the game was a controversial game-tying goal that MacKinnon was involved in. After delivering a pass to Devon Toews, it initially appeared that Toews’ shot was stopped by Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, only for it to be deemed an own goal that was credited to Toews. Upon further review, it seemed that Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren may have been the last person to touch the puck before it went in the net. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar expressed the team’s intention to provide evidence to the NHL that MacKinnon should have been credited with an assist on the play.
Defenseman Cale Makar expressed surprise at the fact that MacKinnon was not credited with an assist on the game-tying goal. Despite the disappointment of the streak ending, Makar highlighted MacKinnon’s continued efforts to generate opportunities throughout the game. MacKinnon himself logged significant ice time, with five shots on goal in a total of 27 minutes and 53 seconds of play.
Bednar addressed questions about the decision to give MacKinnon extra shifts, particularly in overtime. While the focus was not solely on maintaining the streak, Bednar acknowledged the team’s excitement surrounding MacKinnon’s accomplishments. He emphasized MacKinnon’s importance as a key player for the team, especially in high-pressure situations like overtime.
While the conclusion of MacKinnon’s impressive home points streak may be disappointing for fans and players alike, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties of professional sports. The Avalanche will have to regroup and refocus as they look ahead to future games, with MacKinnon undoubtedly eager to bounce back from this setback and continue to make significant contributions to the team’s success.