Coming off what star center Nathan MacKinnon called his team’s “best win of the year,” the Colorado Avalanche will put a five-game winning streak on the line when they travel to Edmonton to face Connor McDavid and the Oilers on Saturday night.
Colorado has had a few days to enjoy its 4-3 overtime victory at Western Conference-leading Vancouver on Wednesday, a win that moved the Avalanche into a first-place tie in the Central Division with the Dallas Stars.
Valeri Nichushkin scored the game-winner 30 seconds into overtime when MacKinnon’s shot from the top of the left circle bounced off the back of Vancouver defenseman Noah Juulsen and then ricocheted off the visor of Nichushkin hunched over in front of the crease and into the net.
The goal capped a furious comeback by the Avs, who trailed 3-0 late in the second period but rallied to score four consecutive goals against Vancouver. MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen led the way with a goal and an assist each.
Colorado outshot the Canucks, 17-3, in the third period.
“Best win of the year, for sure,” said MacKinnon, who leads the league in scoring with 115 points. “We didn’t quit. … I thought we really dominated the third period, which is what we always want to do. Really excited by that win tonight.”
