MacKinnon breaks Gretzky's point-streak record

Colorado Avalanche rookie Nathan MacKinnon erased one of Wayne Gretzky's records Thursday night by earning a point in his 13th consecutive game, the longest streak ever by an 18-year-old.

MacKinnon set up Andre Benoit for the winning goal 4:28 into overtime, giving the Avalanche a 3-2 victory against the Detroit Red Wings. His passout from behind the net found Benoit in the lower left circle for a wrister than beat goaltender Jimmy Howard.

"Nobody really took me, and Benoit took the back door. [The record's] pretty cool. I want to be as consistent as possible," MacKinnon said. "[Gretzky] probably doubled my point total in those games."

MacKinnon, the first player taken in the 2013 NHL Draft, leads all rookies with 22 goals and 51 points. He has five goals and 18 points during the streak.

Gretzky, the NHL's all-time scoring leader, had points in 12 consecutive games in 1979-80, the first season after the Edmonton Oilers and three other World Hockey Association franchises -- including the Quebec Nordiques, who became the Avalanche in 1995 -- joined the NHL.