Nathan MacKinnon delivers off big hits, scoring as Avalanche seize a 2-0 edge in series with Wild

TL;DR

Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and two assists, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, giving them a 2-0 series lead. MacKinnon also delivered significant hits, showcasing his all-around playoff performance.

Key points

Nathan MacKinnon scored one goal and two assists
Avalanche lead the series 2-0 against the Wild
MacKinnon recorded two hits during the game
Colorado scored 14 goals in the first two games of the series
Wild's new goaltender allowed five goals in Game 2

Nathan MacKinnonColorado AvalancheMinnesota WildGabriel Landeskog

DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon is known for his speed and his scoring. He can deliver some big hits, too. The Colorado Avalanche forward crunched Minnesota's Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy in the third period as part of a big game where he scored a goal and notched two assists. Just Nate being playoff Nate. He downplayed the hits after a 5-2 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night gave Colorado a 2-0 lead in the second-round series with the Wild. He was modest about his offensive production as well. “Just excited to play," said MacKinnon, who scored a league-leading 53 goals in the regular season. “Playoff hockey, obviously, the best the time of year. Just excited and just trying to have a good start.” MacKinnon joined some exclusive company with his third straight three-point playoff game. The only players to accomplish that feat over the last 40 years are Leon Draisaitl (2022), Mikko Rantanen (2025), Joe Pavelski (2010), Joe Sakic (1997) and Dennis Maruk (1986), according to NHL Stats. “He was unbelievable tonight on both sides of the puck,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “The physicality, the defending details, the hunger to check pucks back in all three zones, and the speed and pace that he played with early in the game — it was like he was shot out of a cannon.” His teammates concurred. “Having Nate makes my job a lot easier, for sure,” captain said. “He's our driving force offensively and tonight, really since the playoffs started, defensively, he's been a beast as well.” MacKinnon was credited with two hits in the game — one on Hughes, which knocked the talented defenseman to the ice, and another on Boldy, who went hard into the boards. “It wasn’t that big of a hit,” MacKinnon said of his collision with Hughes. "He’s one of the best players in the world and he’s so hard to contain and you’re just trying to do the best that you can. He’s going to create a lot of stuff. I think everyone’s being more physical. The whole team is trying to ramp that up.” The Wild head home for Game 3 on Saturday searching for answers. They tried a new goaltender for Game 2 — going with over — but the Avalanche still scored five goals. That, coupled with their nine-goal spurt in Game 1, gives them 14 for the series. It's the most in the first two games of a playoff series since the had 15 against the in 1988. “They’re a great team. They play super-fast, super-dynamic,” Boldy said. "Obviously, they have some incredible players. The biggest thing is just staying above them and not giving them those odd-man rushes, because obviously they're pretty special players make special plays.” \\_ AP NHL playoffs: and

Q&A

What were Nathan MacKinnon's stats in Game 2 against the Wild?

Nathan MacKinnon scored one goal and recorded two assists in Game 2 against the Minnesota Wild.

How does Nathan MacKinnon's performance compare to other players in playoff history?

MacKinnon joined an elite group by achieving his third consecutive three-point playoff game, a feat accomplished by only a few players in the last 40 years.

What adjustments did the Minnesota Wild make for Game 2?

The Minnesota Wild started Filip Gustavsson as their goaltender in Game 2, replacing Jesper Wallstedt, but still allowed five goals to the Avalanche.