Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and was the shootout hero.
The Colorado Avalanche pulled off a wild 6–5 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, battling back from multiple deficits in a game that had just about everything.
How It Went Down
Vegas struck first in what was a sleepy opening period. Alexander Holtz scored his first goal of the season to give the Golden Knights a 1–0 lead, and that ended up being the only goal of the frame. Colorado actually controlled much of the play early, carrying the puck well and creating chances, but couldn’t find a way past Vegas netminder Carter Hart before the intermission.
Things opened up in a big way in the second period.
The Avalanche finally broke through when Samuel Girard was credited with a goal on a deflected puck off of a Vegas player to tie the game. Martin Nečas kept the momentum going later in the period, as his shot bounced off Kaedan Korczak and into the net to make it 2–2.
Vegas answered quickly, though — and then kept answering. Ben Hutton and Brett Howden scored roughly 30 seconds apart, swinging the game back in the Golden Knights’ favor and at 4-2 giving them a two-goal cushion heading into the third.
Colorado wasn’t done.
Nečas struck again early in the third for his second goal of the night, cutting the deficit to one. Later on, Nathan MacKinnon helped create the tying goal, as Sam Malinski’s shot found its way almost to the line and MacKinnon poked it home to make it 4–4.
With just under four minutes left, Vegas looked like it had delivered the knockout punch when notorious Avalanche killer Colton Sissons made it 5–4. Instead, the Avalanche showed exactly why they’ve been rolling lately. With Scott Wedgewood pulled for the extra attacker, Artturi Lehkonen buried the equalizer late, forcing overtime.
The Shootout (Yes, Really)
Overtime featured some golden chances, including Brock Nelson ringing a one-timer off the post, but neither team could end it there.
That sent the game to a shootout — a situation that hasn’t exactly been kind to Colorado this season.
This time, though, the script flipped.
Nečas scored for the Avalanche with a smooth finish, but Vegas immediately answered as Mitch Marner beat Wedgewood. MacKinnon was Colorado’s fourth shooter to make an attempt as both Ross Colton and Val Nichushkin failed to convert but it was the right time for the superstar as he froze Hart on a delayed shot to put Colorado up by one. The difference came at the other end, where Wedgewood shut the door on the final Vegas attempt to seal the win and finally snap Colorado’s shootout skid.
While it wasn’t his sharpest night statistically, Wedgewood made several clutch saves during regulation and overtime to keep the Avalanche alive when the game threatened to get away.
Big Picture
The win pushes Colorado’s streak to seven straight victories, and they’ve now picked up points in an incredible 27 of their last 28 games, going 23-1-4 during that stretch. Vegas, meanwhile, has dropped four of its last five.
Up Next
The Avalanche head back to Ball Arena for two home games to conclude their 2025 portion of the schedule. Up first they’ll welcome Darcy Kuemper and the Los Angeles Kings. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. local time on Monday, December 29th.
Category: General Sports
