Nathan MacKinnon scores in Avalanche win as scoring race tightens with Kucherov
Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon found the back of the net in a tightly contested NHL regular season game against the New York Rangers, helping his team to a 2-1 overtime victory. The late winner sealed a key two points for Colorado as they toppled New York in an exciting finish after regulation time.
That goal marked MacKinnon’s 32nd tally of the current regular season, bringing his total to 85 points for the campaign with 32 goals and 53 assists. In a similar stretch of production, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning matched MacKinnon’s point total with 85 (32 goals and 53 assists) through his team’s schedule, placing the two players at the top of the NHL scoring race and setting up a dramatic early-season duel between leading scorers.
Across the season, Kucherov has appeared in 49 games, contributing 32 goals and 53 assists. His performances earned him recognition as the NHL’s top performer of the week on January 30, an accolade that followed a three-game stretch in which he accumulated 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists).
Looking ahead, Tampa Bay’s next matchup is scheduled away against the New York Rangers on February 8, with puck drop set for 3:00 local time. The upcoming game promises another chapter in a season that has featured high-scoring clashes and pivotal momentum shifts for both teams.
Notably, Kucherov’s earlier appearances in the All-Star spotlight generated buzz, including moments of spirited crowd reaction, underscoring his popularity and influence within the league. Fans across North America can expect continued high-level performances from these two star forwards as the season unfolds, with both players likely to remain central figures in discussions about the league’s top scorers and most impactful players.