SEATTLE — Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon scored a spectacular game-winning goal on Saturday. He made it look easy — he even made it sound like it was easy when answering questions about the tally that helped the Avalanche defeat the Seattle Kraken 6-4 at Climate Pledge Arena and take a 2-1 series lead in Round 1.
But the goal, which was met with a collective gasp from the Seattle crowd, almost as a sign of respect for the star — was anything but easy.
“Just you know, faked the guy out and managed to find some net over Grubi’s shoulder,” MacKinnon said.
MacKinnon collected a pass from Bowen Byram and what he went on to do for the next 20 seconds was highlight-reel-worthy. He first circled back and curled away from the Jesper Froden at the blue line, separating himself from the Kraken player to find open ice in the offensive zone. MacKinnon fired a shot on goal but missed wide. The rebound was picked up by teammate Cale Makar and eventually found its way back to MacKinnon.
With Seattle’s Ryan Donato challenging him, MacKinnon shook off the forward, walked into the circle and fired it past Grubauer to silence a rowdy crowd.
“He was the difference maker that we’ve come to expect in big games,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “He played with great speed, great competitiveness, physical. And then when he got the puck, he was really tough to check.”
The tally made it 5-3 and ended up being the game-winner. MacKinnon hadn’t scored in the first two games of the series. And fellow superstar Mikko Rantanen had just a single goal. But the pair — along with Makar — combined for five goals and two assists to rally the Avalanche to another come-from-behind victory. It was a reminder that the Avs have a three-headed monster of undisputed NHL superstars that Seattle couldn’t match.
“That’s what good teams have and we’re very fortunate to have those guys,” forward Andrew Cogliano said, making his return to the lineup after missing Game 2. “Nate makes a world-class play, Mikko makes a great shot. They make a lot of money, but they deserve it.”
There wasn’t an empty seat in the building to celebrate the first-ever home playoff game in Kraken history. Seattle gave them a lot to cheer for — loudly — as they scored the first goal to take a 1-0 lead. They later erased a two-goal deficit in a mere 19 seconds late in the second period to give the team new life heading into the final 20 minutes.
That was when Rantanen and MacKinnon put on their show. The pair each had just one point through the first two games. The Avs struggled in Game 1 despite them teaming up for the only goal. And they needed their other top forwards and defensemen to will them to victory in Game 2. Having the dynamic duo — one of the best one-two punches in the NHL — find their offensive touch was crucial.
First, Rantanen broke into the Kraken zone, collecting a pass from defenseman Devon Toews and firing it past Grubauer to make it 4-3. Then MacKinnon added to the lead with the eventual game-winner before Rantanen added an empty netter for his third of the series.
J.T. Compher had the first goal for Colorado, a shorthanded tally that was crucial in not only erasing a one-goal deficit but keeping Seattle from capitalizing on the power play to gain a multi-goal lead
Goalie Alexandar Georgiev got the nod for the Avs. He made several big stops when the Kraken were coming on strong early but finished the night stopping 25-of-29 in all.
