Avalanche Extend Win Streak with 6–3 Victory over Rangers

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

The Colorado Avalanche continued their dominant start to the season with a 6–3 win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night in Denver. Nathan MacKinnon recorded two goals and an assist, a performance that moved him past Peter Stastny for second place on the franchise’s all-time scoring list. MacKinnon, now at 1,051 career points, trails only Joe Sakic, who amassed 1,641 points during his two decades with the Quebec/Colorado franchise. Cale Makar added two goals and an assist, while Brock Nelson scored once and goaltender Scott Wedgewood contributed his first career assist to go with 15 saves. With the victory, the Avalanche improved their league-leading total to 33 points and extended their winning streak to seven games, having suffered only one regulation loss through 20 contests. MacKinnon continues to pace the NHL in both goals (16) and points (36). For New York, J. T. Miller ended a recent drought by netting two power-play goals after scoring only once in his previous nine games. Adam Edstrom tallied his first goal of the season, and Mika Zibanejad assisted on two of the Rangers’ three scores. Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 shots but could not hold off Colorado’s surging offense. Miller’s second goal evened the game at 3–3 midway through the third period, but MacKinnon restored Colorado’s lead just 30 seconds later by burying a rebound. Makar and Ross Colton added empty-net goals to secure the win.

Earlier scoring included Miller’s early goal at 2:26 of the first period and MacKinnon’s equalizer in the final minute. Edstrom briefly put the Rangers back ahead early in the second period before Makar tied the game late in the frame on a wraparound set up by Martin Necas, who finished with three assists.

The Rangers conclude their three-game road swing Saturday night in Utah, while the Avalanche will travel to Nashville for their next matchup.