- Nathan MacKinnon tied Game 5 with 1:23 left in regulation, threading a shot through a window that barely existed
- He has 11 points in seven playoff games and ranks third in 20-plus mph speed bursts this postseason
- Read below for the video of the shot and what both sides said about it
Nathan MacKinnon didn’t have much room. He needed about four inches. He found them.
From below the dot in the left circle, MacKinnon whipped a shot over Jesper Wallstedt’s right shoulder with 1:23 left in regulation Wednesday, tying Game 5 at 3-3 and completing a comeback from three goals down. Brett Kulak won it in overtime to send Colorado to the Western Conference Final.
Watch the shot that saved the Avs’ season:
MacKinnon said he saw just enough.
“I just saw a little daylight and just threw it there. Doesn’t always go where you want it to. Happy it did.”
Gabriel Landeskog called it what it was.
“Just such a special player making a special shot at such a clutch moment.”
Even Wild coach John Hynes couldn’t argue with it. Minnesota had every passing lane covered in that 6-on-5 situation. MacKinnon could’ve gone to Brock Nelson in the bumper. He could’ve kicked it back to Martin Necas at the point. Nazem Kadri’s seam lane was shut down. Landeskog was blanketed in front.
“We had all those areas covered, and MacKinnon made a heck of a shot.”
Wallstedt dropped his head when the puck went in. He thought he was in position.
“I think in the long run that’s a save I make most of the time, but not today. Today he scored.”
The goal was the latest tying goal in a potential series-clinching game in Avalanche franchise history:
Through seven playoff games, MacKinnon has 11 points (four goals, six assists) and ranks third among all skaters in 20-plus mph speed bursts with 38. He’s the betting favorite for the Conn Smythe, and performances like Wednesday are why.
Parker Kelly, who scored earlier in the comeback, put it simply.
“That’s why they call him ‘The Dog,’ man. He shows up in those big moments.”
Colorado faces either Vegas or Anaheim in the Western Conference Final. If MacKinnon keeps playing like this, the Conn Smythe conversation won’t be much of a conversation at all.
