MacKinnon leads Avalanche past Canucks 5-4 in overtime
VANCOUVER — Gavin Brindley sealed a 5-4 overtime victory for the Colorado Avalanche against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night, scoring just 68 seconds into the extra frame.
Vancouver’s Jake DeBrusk forced overtime when he redirected a Brock Boeser pass on a power play with 3:01 left in regulation.
Key Performers
- Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in the third period, once with the man advantage.
- Nathan MacKinnon netted two goals in the opening period, 1:28 apart, including one on the power play, and added three assists for a five-point night.
- Valeri Nichushkin contributed two assists as Colorado improved to a league-best 10-1-5 record.
- Cale Makar, leading all defensemen with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists), tallied two more assists.
Canucks Highlights
- Drew O’Connor scored shorthanded for Vancouver.
- Linus Karlsson added a goal with a stylish between-the-legs move.
- Kiefer Sherwood scored his team-leading 10th goal, capitalizing on a Colorado turnover.
Goaltending and Records
Kevin Lankinen made 27 saves for Vancouver in his second straight start, while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots for Colorado.
“Both teams were coming off wins Saturday night.”
Vancouver edged Columbus 4-3 at home, while Colorado routed the Oilers 9-1 in Edmonton. Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko missed a second consecutive game after skipping Friday’s practice.
Author’s Summary
Nathan MacKinnon’s five-point performance propelled Colorado to an overtime win in Vancouver, continuing the Avalanche’s dominant early-season form.