Colorado is locked into third place in the Central Division and will rest several key players for their final two games, including Nathan MacKinnon, in anticipation of their first round playoff matchup. MacKinnon already missed Colorado's previous game and ends the 2024-25 season with 116 points (32G / 84A) in 79 games.
Colorado's head coach Jared Bednar stated that MacKinnon would likely play if they were fighting for a playoff spot, indicating that he should be ready to play in the postseason. The 29-year-old MacKinnon has a league-leading 116 points (32G / 84A) in 79 games this season.
MacKinnon fell awkwardly on his face and exited Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers but will return to the lineup on Tuesday. MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this year's Hart Trophy due to his 32 goals, 85 points, 240 SOG, 30 PIMs and +15 plus/minus through 53 games played this season.
Head coach Jared Bednar stated that MacKinnon "should be good to go tomorrow" after missing practice Monday due to a chin injury which caused him to leave their game vs. Florida early. The Avalanche' will hope the injury does not linger as MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this year's Hart Trophy due to his 32 goals, 85 points, 240 SOG, 30 PIMs and +15 plus/minus through 53 games played this season.
MacKinnon is dealing with an illness that made him a game-time decision for Colorado's Monday night meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning. MacKinnon has been producing at-will lately, scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in his last 10 games, playing predominantly on a line with Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin.
MacKinnon is dealing with an illness that could keep him out of Colorado's Monday night meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning. MacKinnon has been producing at-will lately, scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in his last 10 games, playing predominantly on a line with Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin. If MacKinnon is unable to play, expect the Avalanche to thrust Ryan Johansen into a larger role.
MacKinnon was reportedly carted to the X-ray room following Wednesday's game but no update was provided on his status. Until the Avalanche discloses any information on MacKinnon, consider him questionable to play Friday in Minnesota.
MacKinnon left Monday's game in Boston with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss at least one month. If MacKinnon is out for exactly four weeks, he'll miss 14 games and will be back around early-to-mid January. The Avalanche are incredibly banged up right now, so their lineup will likely be very fluid for the next few games.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar has confirmed star centre Nathan MacKinnon is day-to-day after leaving practice early Saturday. MacKinnon hopes to be ready and healthy for the Avalanche's opening game Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old signed an eight-year, $100,800,000 contract extension this past September after finishing 2021-22 with 32 goals and 88 points in 65 games. It was his fifth straight season finishing above a point-per-game and his seventh straight with 200 or more shots on goal.
McKinnon had been one of the most underpaid players in the NHL for years but will have the highest AAV when the 2024 season starts at $12.6. McKinnon missed 17 games last season but was on pace for 111 points (40G / 71A) over 82 games. He also led the playoffs in goals (13) and won his first Stanley Cup. Overall, 2022 was a great year for Nathan MacKinnon.
MacKinnon missed Tuesday's game in Calgary with an upper-body injury that he suffered in a fight with Matt Dumba on Sunday. The Avalanche said that concern was "high" on Tuesday but it appears MacKinnon's re-evaluation went well and he should play vs. the Sharks. MacKinnon has picked up 27 points (13G / 14A) in his last 20 games.
MacKinnon's injury is believed to stem from his fight with Matt Dumba over the weekend. Head coach Jared Bednar said that concern is "high" in regards to MacKinnon's injury. Nazem Kadri will replace him on the first line and Artturi Lehkonen will make his Avalanche debut to take his place.
MacKinnon will not be available for a heavyweight tilt in Calgary on Tuesday. It's unclear exactly how the Avalanche lines will shake out but Devon Toews was on PP1 in the morning skate.
MacKinnon missed Wednesday's game in Detroit with a "minor" lower-body injury but will play Friday vs. the Jets. MacKinnon will be back on the top line and top power-play unit and comes in with 24 points (9G / 15A) in 19 games since the beginning of January.
According to head coach Jared Bednar, MacKinnon's lower-body injury is "minor," so he could be back for Friday's game vs. the Jets.
