It has been an impressive period for Nathan MacKinnon.
The Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche center did not score a point in his team's 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers in Denver on March 28, putting an end to his 19-game scoring streak and 35-game streak of scoring in home games at the start of the season. He accumulated 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) during his home streak, ranking as the second-longest streak in NHL history. The longest streak is held by Wayne Gretzky who achieved 40 games with the Los Angeles Kings in 1988-89.
MacKinnon’s point streaks didn’t end without controversy, however. Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reported reported that the Avalanche asked the NHL's hockey operations department to review the official scoring on Colorado's second goal against the Rangers in an attempt to credit MacKinnon with an assist, but the league has stated that there will be no changes.
NHL’s Rule Book Interpretation Keeps MacKinnon Off Scoresheet in Loss to Rangers
MacKinnon initially seemed to have assisted on the Avalanche's game-tying goal in the third period when he passed to Devon Toews, who scored against the Rangers. However, the puck went in off Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren's stick. It was deemed an own goal by Lindgren, making it an unassisted goal for Toews.
The play was unexpected in more ways than one; initially, Colorado winger Mikko Rantanen was credited with the goal, with assists from Toews and MacKinnon, after his stick hit Lindgren's and caused the goal. However, a video review revealed that Rantanen's stick never touched the puck, resulting in the goal being awarded to Toews.
Rule 78.3 of the NHL's official rulebook states that, 'When a player scores a goal, an ‘assist’ shall be credited to the player or players (maximum two) who touch the puck prior to the goal scorer provided no defender plays or has control of the puck subsequently.' The league's hockey operations determined that Rantanen’s stick did not cause the goal and that Lindgren put it in himself.'Well, I knew right away I didn’t touch it,' Rantanen told Masisak after the game. 'I guess they saw that he had possession, which ended Nate’s streak. That was really sad. I hit his stick on his backhand and it went in. I don’t know if that’s possession for him. I know it’s not my goal, but maybe there should be an assist [for MacKinnon].'
MacKinnon Joins Esteemed Company During Historic Season The Avalanche have the best home record in the NHL this season (28-7-1), and MacKinnon has been a significant contributor. Not only did he score in 35 straight home games, but he also has thehighest number of points by an NHL player at home this season (77)
since Mario Lemieux had 104 and Jaromir Jagr had 83 for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96.
MacKinnon achieved two separate 19-game scoring streaks in 2023-24, becoming the first player in NHL history to do so in a single season. MacKinnon has the second-highest number of points (123), third-highest assists (78), and is tied for the fourth-highest number of goals (45) among all NHL skaters this season. Even with his streaks coming to an end, he continues to be a top contender for both the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player, and the Art Ross Trophy, given to the league's leading scorer. His trophy case already includes the Calder Memorial Trophy, which he won as the NHL's top rookie in 2014; the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which he won for his sportsmanship and playing ability in 2020; and the Stanley Cup, which he won with the Avalanche in 2022. Nathan MacKinnon's streak of scoring at least one point in 19 consecutive games came to an end, and his streak of scoring at least one point in home games at the start of the season ended at 35 games.
MacKinnon posted two separate 19-game point streaks in 2023-24, becoming the first player in NHL history to do so in a single season.
MacKinnon has the second-most points (123), third-most assists (78) and is tied for the fourth-most goals (45) among all NHL skaters this season. Even with his streaks coming to an end, he remains a frontrunner for both the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL’s most valuable player, and the Art Ross Trophy, given to the league’s leading scorer. His trophy case already includes the Calder Memorial Trophy, which he won as the NHL’s top rookie in 2014; the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which he won for his sportsmanship and playing ability in 2020; and the Stanley Cup, which he won with the Avalanche in 2022.
