Avalanche forward earns 1st career hat trick in 7-4 win over Flyers
Six Avalanche players had a multi-point game in the high-scoring victory against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Logan O'Connor scored his first career hat trick, and Nathan MacKinnon had a four-point game (2G, 2A) in the 7-4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday afternoon.
The 25-year-old forward netted his first via skate in the way at the right time to redirect the puck to the back of the net halfway through the first period. His second came off a saucer pass from Miles Wood to flip it over Flyers goalie Carter Hart 8:14 into the second period. His third was an empty-netter from a MacKinnon pass.
"It's been a long time probably 15 years since my last hat trick. Pretty unselfish play by Nate there, obviously he has two," O'Connor said after the win. "I think he knows he's going to get a lot more hat tricks than I will, so nice of him to slide that one over and get that. Ultimately good way to end the road trip with a win there."
Mikko Rantanen and MacKinnon had a pair of goals each for the Avs' total of seven. MacKinnon's four points put him at 76 on the season and into the top spot in the NHL.
"Our group in here, in general, everyone works on their craft a lot. I think you've seen guys push each other in that area of things — the little things off the ice and on the ice that I don't think many people see," O'Connor said. "But our group in here takes a lot of pride in working on their game so I think a lot of guys, it's improved a lot of guys' games because of that and pushing one another."
Wood, Ross Colton and O'Connor — aptly named by Altitude Sports the Roaring 20s line as they all wear numbers in the 20s — combined for eight points in the matchup.
"It was really fun to watch that Colton line tonight. They were working really cohesively. It was fun to be out there with guys like that," Cale Makar, who earned his 300th career point in the win, said.
Makar fell short one game to tie Bobby Orr's record for defenseman to reach 300 points in the fewest games. The 25-year-old now sits in the second spot having reached the feat in 280 games.
Although the Avs came out the victors, the Flyers outplayed them in parts of the contest. While Alexandar Georgiev allowed four goals — one or two that could have been saved — he stopped 36 shots.
Flyers starting goaltender Hart was replaced by Samuel Ersson for the third period after allowing five goals on 15 shots. Ersson made seven saves and gave up one goal.
"I'd say that we're fortunate to win the game but we did enough good things to capitalize on some chances, little bit opportunistic ...," head coach Jared Bednar said. "It wasn't the perfect game but it was a big swing game for us on this road trip, tough road trip against tough opponents."
Bednar said MacKinnon's energy and leadership shined in the last game on the road before two more back at Ball Arena prior to the All-Star break.
"I loved his attitude tonight — outward, leadership on the bench for me, super positive — even when they had their push in the third period," Bednar said about his superstar center. "He was encouraging guys on the bench of what we needed to do. It showed up in his play. He was really vocal on the bench and he took that to the ice."
The Avs head coach said the team is looking forward to reinforcements next week, which means there's a good chance Artturi Lehkonen and Bowen Byram will be back in the lineup against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
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