DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon scored twice as the Colorado Avalanche continued their strong start to the season with a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. The Avalanche (5-0-1) have earned at least a point in all six games this season, marking one of the longest point streaks to begin a season in franchise history.
The team record is 11 (9-0-2) set during the 2000-01 season, when the Avalanche went on to win the Stanley Cup title. Alongside MacKinnon’s two goals, Josh Manson also scored, and Martin Necas added an empty-net tally with 2:37 remaining in the game.
Despite the win, the team’s power play continues to struggle, finishing 0-for-5 on Saturday.
In goal, Scott Wedgewood stopped 13 shots to earn his league-leading fifth win. He delivered the standout save of the night with 13:49 remaining, making an impressive glove save on a shot from John Beecher.
Beecher had the lone goal for the Bruins, who were outshot 38-14 over the course of the game, including a dominant 16-2 margin in the second period. Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman stopped 34 shots in the losing effort.
MacKinnon continues to shine on home ice, recording six points (four goals, two assists) through three games at Ball Arena. He has led the league in home scoring over the past two seasons. This game also marked MacKinnon’s 55th career multi-goal game, tying him with Milan Hejduk for the fourth-most in Avalanche/Nordiques history.
The Bruins’ John Beecher gave the vocal Boston contingent filling the arena an early reason to cheer, scoring just 3:11 into the game. However, Colorado quickly responded with goals from MacKinnon and Manson to take a 2-1 lead after the first period.
Brent Burns assisted on Manson’s goal, becoming the fifth different defenseman aged 40 or older to notch a four-game assist streak.
Saturday also saw the NHL debut of Avalanche center Zakhar Bardakov, who played 53 games and scored 17 goals for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL last season.
**Up Next:**
Bruins: Close out a three-game road trip Sunday at Utah.
Avalanche: Visit Utah on Tuesday.
https://whdh.com/sports/nathan-mackinnon-scores-twice-avalanche-race-past-bruins-4-1/