Colorado's elite players displayed outstanding synergy with a combined 10 points in the win against Washington.
Colorado's elite players displayed outstanding synergy with a combined 10 points in the win against Washington.
The Colorado Avalanche had two players earn five points each in the 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.
Nathan MacKinnon scored a natural hat trick and another goal while Mikko Rantanen assisted on all four and scored one of his own.
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"Yeah, it's always nice to score four obviously. I'd be lying if I said anything different. Hockey's a funny sport — sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't and right now, they're going in for me," MacKinnon said.
Rantanen delivered the puck to MacKinnon on his two power play and two even strength goals, which showcased the superb synergy between the linemates in the win.
"We had some looks in the first but took us a bit to get into the game and he was playmaking so well tonight looking for me," MacKinnon said. "My third was really nice pass on the 2-on-1, really selfless hockey from Mikko."
The two elite forwards have played well together all season and it is enjoyable for another elite player on the squad to witness.
"They're both gamers. And obviously with two games left in this break, we're gonna put everything we got out there hopefully. So it's fun to watch for me, for sure," Cale Makar said about his teammates.
Makar scored a shorthanded goal at the end of the first period to get the Avalanche on the board first.
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As MacKinnon said the connection between he and Rantanen did not happen right off the bat, it elevated with the confidence that accrued after his first goal.
"When you get one, confidence goes up and we got a power play right after again and was able to bury another one, very similar goal," Rantanen said. "When you get those goals, and confidence is high, that's when it goes better obviously."
Head coach Jared Bednar said the two have "been good together for a long time. But it's been consistently good this year."
Hats piled up on the ice after MacKinnon's third goal, but it may have been a first for what ended up on the rink after his fourth — a bra and pair of underwear were part of the celebration following goal number four.
Alexandar Georgiev played an outstanding game and made 23 saves to help earn the two points for his team.
"I loved his game tonight. I thought he was fantastic. He just looks square and sharp — less rebounds than we've seen ... pretty aggressive challenging," Bednar said of his starting goaltender.
The Avalanche sit one point behind (63) the Winnipeg Jets (64) in second place in the Central Division. They face off against the Los Angeles Kings — who are 10 points behind the Avs and fourth in the Pacific Division — on Friday night.
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