Colorado star Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, giving him 100 points in 61 games this season, as the Avalanche beat the lowly Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 on Thursday night.
MacKinnon scored his 36th goal with 2:28 left in the third period, sending a wrist shot between Petr Mrazek‘s legs. He joins Peter Stastny (7), Joe Sakic (6), Michel Goulet (4) and Peter Forsberg (2) as the only players in Nordiques/Avalanche NHL history with multiple 100-point seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
MacKinnon also is the first Avalanche player to post consecutive 100-point seasons, and one of only three players in franchise history to have done so. The others: Peter Stastny (6 from 1980-81 to 1985-86), Michel Goulet (2 from 1982-83 to 1983-84) and Joe Sakic (2 from 1989-90 to 1990-91), all while the club was based in Quebec.
While MacKinnon quickly glossed over the accomplishment — “Yeah, it’s great,” he said — Colorado coach Jared Bednar was effusive when asked about his star forward.
“Incredible feat to be able to contribute on a daily basis and to be able to hit 100 at this point in the season is impressive,” Bednar said.
Zach Parise added two goals and an assist and Ross Colton and Devon Toews also scored, with Justus Annunen making 24 saves in his first career shutout in nine NHL appearances.
The Avalanche improved to 2-1 against the Blackhawks this season. The teams play again on Monday night at Colorado.
Last-place Chicago dropped its fifth consecutive game and is now 5-20-4 in its last 29 games.
Mrazek made 29 stops for Chicago.
Colton’s 13th goal gave Colorado a 2-0 lead 6:56 into the second period. With Connor Bedard in the penalty box for interference, Colton flipped a rebound over a prone Mrazek after his redirection was stopped by the goaltender.
Colton had no points in his previous four games. MacKinnon picked up his 64th assist on the play.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Source: www.espn.com