MacKinnon Leads Avalanche to 5-4 Overtime Victory Against Canucks
VANCOUVER — Gavin Brindley scored just 68 seconds into overtime, securing a 5-4 NHL win for the Colorado Avalanche over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.
Key Moments and Scorers
- Jake DeBrusk of Vancouver forced overtime by deflecting a Brock Boeser pass on a power play with 3:01 left in the third period.
- Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in the third, including a power-play goal for Colorado.
- Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring with two goals in the first period within 1:28, one being on the power play, and added three assists, finishing with five points.
- Valeri Nichushkin contributed two assists for the Avalanche, who hold a league-best 10-1-5 record.
- Defenseman Cale Makar, leading all NHL defensemen with 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists), provided two assists.
Canucks’ Scoring Highlights
- Drew O’Connor scored short-handed.
- Linus Karlsson impressed with a creative goal featuring a between-the-legs move.
- Kiefer Sherwood netted his team-leading 10th goal after capitalizing on a turnover.
- Vancouver’s record is now 8-8-1.
Game Context and Goaltending
Both teams entered Sunday’s match after wins on Saturday: Vancouver defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3, while Colorado dominated the Edmonton Oilers 9-1.
- Kevin Lankinen started his second consecutive game for Vancouver, making 27 saves.
- Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots.
- Vancouver’s goaltender Thatcher Demko did not play for the second straight game after missing Friday’s practice.
"Gavin Brindley scored 68 seconds into overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 5-4 NHL win over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday night."
Colorado’s strong offensive depth and clutch overtime goal underscored their continued dominance this season.
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