CALGARY, Alberta — In a thrilling game on Thursday night, the Colorado Avalanche triumphed over the Calgary Flames with a score of 4-2, thanks in large part to Nathan MacKinnon’s impressive performance. MacKinnon recorded three assists in the second period, helping him regain the lead in the NHL scoring race. He now holds 83 points, comprising 20 goals and an NHL-leading 63 assists, giving him a two-point advantage over Leon Draisaitl from the Edmonton Oilers, with a matchup against Edmonton looming on Friday night.
Cale Makar also made headlines, scoring his 20th goal of the season, while Artturi Lehkonen contributed a goal of his own. Mackenzie Blackwood was solid in goal, turning away 27 shots throughout the game.
For the Flames, Jonathan Huberdeau netted his team-leading 21st goal, while defenseman Rasmus Andersson also found the back of the net. Goaltender Dustin Wolf made 30 saves in a valiant effort to keep Calgary competitive.
Huberdeau’s goal at 3:22 in the first period was achieved during a two-man advantage, setting an early tone for the game.
Notable observations from the match include Cale Makar becoming the first defenseman this season to score 20 goals. Additionally, he is among eight defensemen in NHL history to have recorded three or more seasons with 20 or more goals within their first six seasons in the league. This group features some legendary names such as Paul Coffey and Bobby Orr.
On the other side, the Flames have made history by becoming the first team since the Phoenix Coyotes (from January 23-26, 2013) to score on a 5-on-3 power play in three consecutive games.
The turning point of the game came early in the second period when Makar equalized the score at 1-1, sparking a strong offensive surge from the Avalanche. Four minutes later, Lehkonen scored, giving the Avalanche a lead they would not relinquish. During the second period, Colorado outshone Calgary, scoring three unanswered goals and outshooting them 17 to 3.
An interesting statistic to note is that Nathan MacKinnon achieved his 18th career three-point period during this game, showcasing his continued excellence on the ice.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche will travel to Edmonton for a match on Friday night, while the Flames will be aiming for redemption as they host the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night.
