Nathan MacKinnon hits 1st 50-plus goal season with hat trick vs Minnesota Wild
Colorado's elite forward accomplished several milestones in one game.
Nathan MacKinnon earned his 49th, 50th and 51st goals of the season and became the sixth player in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history to hit the 50-plus goal season milestone. He is the fourth Avalanche player to do so, joining Mikko Rantanen who tallied 55 last season, Milan Hejduk (50) in 2002-03, Joe Sakic (54) in 2000-01 and again (51) in 1995-96.
"Yeah, it feels good. You know, I never thought in my life I'd score 50, honestly. I never really thought I would," MacKinnon said after the win. "It feels good obviously, a lot of amazing plays from everybody all season — a lot of empty nets. You know a lot of hard work from the whole lineup. Like it's a team achievement, honestly. It's a team sport, obviously, and it's tough to get there. You can't do it alone."
Michel Goulet holds the franchise record for most goals in a season with 57 which he achieved in 1982-83.
The 28-year-old forward's four-point game broke Peter Stastny's top franchise record for most multi-point games in a season with his 43rd this year.
MacKinnon's assist on Artturi Lehkonen's goal at 15:26 of the first period tied him with Peter Forsberg (86 in 1995-96) for the second most in a single season in Avalanche/Nordiques history. Stastny's 93 assists in 1981-82 are the most for the franchise.
The Halifax, Nova Scotia native earned his third hat trick of the season, which tied him with Mikko Rantanen, Owen Nolan and Stastny for second-most three-goal games in franchise history.
MacKinnon grabbed a perfect pass from Jonathan Drouin to score his 50th, which was special to him.
"Yeah, it's cool. I mean, I'm sure it's something (to) look back on. You know, it was an awesome drop pass too. It was a pretty play by him (Drouin) and you know, he's been so amazing all season so it's obviously fun to connect," MacKinnon said.
His former QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads teammate seconded the motion that he deserved the notable feat he achieved.
"Yeah we were laughing, actually after his first goal I thought we were playing in Halifax, to be honest. I've seen those breakout goals where he just blows by the D (defense) and the D doesn't even stand a chance. He had his legs tonight, for sure and he made it count.
"Yeah, you know when you're in the 40s with a couple games left you always have a chance. Obviously scoring a hat trick will definitely help getting 50 but yeah, the way he shoots the puck, the way he gets his looks and chances, every year, he probably get 50 if he wants," Drouin said.
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