MacKinnon Leads Avalanche to 5-4 Overtime Win Over Canucks
VANCOUVER — Gavin Brindley scored just 68 seconds into overtime, securing a 5-4 victory for the Colorado Avalanche against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.
Overtime and Key Moments
Vancouver’s Jake DeBrusk tied the game late in the third period, deflecting a Brock Boeser pass during a power play with only 3:01 left on the clock.
Colorado’s Scoring Highlights
- Artturi Lehkonen netted two goals in the third period, one of them on the power play.
- Nathan MacKinnon scored twice within 1 minute and 28 seconds in the first period, including a power-play goal, giving Colorado an early 2-0 lead.
- MacKinnon also contributed three assists, totaling five points for the game.
- Valeri Nichushkin assisted twice, supporting Colorado’s league-leading 10-1-5 record.
- Defenceman Cale Makar, the league's top-scoring defenseman with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists), earned two assists.
Canucks’ Goals and Players
- Drew O’Connor scored shorthanded.
- Linus Karlsson scored with an impressive between-the-legs play.
- Kiefer Sherwood netted his team-leading 10th goal off a turnover.
- The Canucks' record moved to 8-8-1 after the game.
Previous Night’s Results
Both teams came into the game after winning their previous matchups on Saturday. Vancouver edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3, while Colorado dominated the Edmonton Oilers 9-1.
Goalie Performance
- Kevin Lankinen, starting his second consecutive game for Vancouver, stopped 27 shots.
- Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves.
- Canucks' goaltender Thatcher Demko did not dress for the second straight game after missing practice on Friday.
“Gavin Brindley scored 68 seconds into overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 5-4 NHL win over the Vancouver Canucks,” the game report stated.
Despite a strong comeback by Vancouver, Colorado’s depth scoring and MacKinnon’s exceptional performance ensured a thrilling overtime victory.
Author's summary: Nathan MacKinnon’s five-point game and Gavin Brindley’s overtime goal propelled the Avalanche to a narrow 5-4 victory over the Canucks, extending Colorado’s strong season start.