• Powered by Roundtable
    Colleen Flynn
    Colleen Flynn
    Feb 16, 2024, 02:23

    Colorado's top center has had a rough go with facial injuries on the longest road trip of the season — specifically in the Sunshine State.

    Colorado's top center has had a rough go with facial injuries on the longest road trip of the season — specifically in the Sunshine State.

    James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports - Nathan MacKinnon takes puck to face against Lightning

    Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon took a puck to the face after it was shot hard at the net and took a bounce that popped up and directly hit him in the face around the 12-minute mark of the second period. 

    MacKinnon immediately grabbed his face and threw off his helmet. Avalanche head trainer Matt Sokolowski attended to him and helped him down the tunnel. 

    The 28-year-old appeared to be in an elevated amount of pain but returned to the ice about six minutes later. 

    MacKinnon's face has not had good luck in the Florida as he he hit the ice quite hard in the game against the Florida Panthers and exited for maintenance. Head coach Jared Bednar said he needed additional maintenance after practice on Monday at the Panthers Ice Den which is why he was not on the ice with the team. 

    When the Halifax, Nova Scotia native returned to the ice, he did not have an altered visor or gate on and did not look to have missed a step. 

    MacKinnon earned an assist on Bowen Byram's first goal at 15:08 into the first period putting him at 87 points on the season — three behind Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov in the top spot. 

    The Hockey News' Colleen Flynn will get an update and details on his injury following the game. 

    Recent Avalanche articles

    Insider shoots down Avalanche trade rumor

    Avalanche coach giving line 'chance to respond' against Capitals

    Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar says team can't lose confidence after 4 losses