MacKinnon powers Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals for the Colorado Avalanche in a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday night at Denver, one as part of a three-goal first period and another to chase Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.
Blake Comeau and Gabriel Bourque also scored in a furious opening period that revved up a pompomwaving capacity crowd and set the tone for an Avalanche victory that cut Nashville’s lead in the first-round playoff series to 2-1. Gabriel Landeskog was credited with an empty-net goal for the Avalanche, who had lost 12 in a row against the Predators.
For a third consecutive game, Colorado scored first. This time, at home, the Avalanche were able to make it hold up. Colorado won 28 games at home during the regular season, matching a franchise record.
MacKinnon’s goal at 4:25 of the second period gave Colorado a 4-0 lead and prompted the Predators to pull Rinne in favor of backup Juuse Saros. Rinne gave up four goals on 15 shots.
at Toronto 4, Boston 2: Embarrassed and desperate after getting flattened by the Bruins in two games at Boston, the Maple Leafs had a point to prove.
Auston Matthews led the way, scoring the go-ahead goal in the second period and helping to cut the Bruins’ lead in the series to 2-1.
The Maple Leafs, reeling in the wake of 5-1 and 7-3 losses on the road, got back to using their speed at home.
“I don’t think any of us felt we played how we’re capable,” Matthews said. “Tonight definitely was a statement game.”
Matthews was fiery after Saturday’s blowout, responding to a question about how Boston’s top line of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron could have 20 points in two games compared to his trio’s goose egg with an expletive: “[It] happens.”
at New Jersey 5, Tampa Bay 2: With the Devils’ first playoff appearance since 2012 starting to look like an early exit, Taylor Hall came up big — as he has done all season.
Hall had a goal and two assists, setting up Stefan Noesen’s winner with 7:05 to play, and Cory Schneider made 34 saves in Game 3 of the first-round series.
The Devils scored four third-period goals in cutting the Lightning’s lead in the series to 2-1.
Hall, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, is appearing in the playoffs for the first time.
“It’s not my first playoff win; it’s ours as a group,” said Hall, who had a career year in goals, assists and points. “We had some confidence coming back on home ice with how we played to finish the regular season. “It’s a great feeling.” The Devils had lots of contributors.
Rookie Will Butcher had a power-play goal earlier in the third to tie the score at 2-2. Schneider gave up two power-play goals in taking over for Keith Kinkaid.