Avalanche Weekly Update - Nov. 21
Nathan MacKinnon named the NHL's third star of the week
by Danielle Bernstein / ColoradoAvalanche.com
Avalanche Notes
MacKINNON NAMED THIRD STAR: Nathan MacKinnon was named the NHL's third star for the week ending on Nov. 19 after recording seven points (2g, 5a) in three games this past week. He registered a career-high five points and four assists in a 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Thursday, the most points by an Avalanche player since Dec. 9, 2007 against St. Louis (Milan Hejduk, 6 and Paul Stastny, 5).
CAREER NIGHT: Last Thursday's win over the Capitals was also a record night for Gabriel Landeskog, who recorded his first NHL hat trick, and Mikko Rantanen, who notched a career-high four points and three assists.
PUTTING IN TIME: Defenseman Erik Johnson logged a career-high 30:48 of ice time on Sunday at Detroit, the most minutes by an Avalanche player since Scott Hannan played 32:33 on April 7, 2009 at San Jose. Johnson ranks fifth in the league in average ice time (26:43) and first in shifts per game (32.42).
Upcoming Games
Wednesday, November 22 vs. Dallas Stars
Pepsi Center, 7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 92.5 The Wolf
The Avalanche and the Stars clash for the third of five games this season and the second of three that will take place at Pepsi Center. Colorado is 1-1-0 against its Central Division foe so far this season, with each team picking up a win at home. The Avs took the last matchup 5-3, and Matt Nieto registered his first career hat trick.
Friday, November 24 at Minnesota Wild
Xcel Energy Center, 2 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 950 AM
The Avs face Minnesota for first time this season on Friday afternoon, the first of four tilts between the division rivals in 2017-18. Colorado finished 2-3-0 against its division rival last season and is 20-19-8 in 47 all-time games played on the road in the series.
Saturday, November 25 vs. Calgary Flames
Pepsi Center, 8 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 950 AM
Calgary pays its first visit of the campaign to Pepsi Center on Saturday night. Colorado is 28-23-6 all-time against Calgary on home ice and was winless in three meetings last season.
In The Community
On Tuesday afternoon, forwards Alexander Kerfoot and Gabriel Bourque, along with Mascot Bernie and the Ram Trucks Avalanche Ice Girls, skated with 60 boys and girls from the Denver Children's Home as part of the team's Break the Ice Program. The program aims to provide a unique experience for children who may not have any skating experience, giving them an opportunity to learn from Avalanche players.
Player Spotlight: Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon leads the Avalanche in points and assists and has notched 17 of his 22 points (6g, 11a) in his last nine games. In that span (since Oct. 28), the Halifax, Nova Scotia, native is tied for the league lead in scoring. MacKinnon was named the NHL's third star for the week ending Nov. 19, collecting seven points (2g, 5a) in three games to power the Avs to a pair of wins.
Quotable
"You have to play the whole game. Give yourself the best chance and at least develop habits in games like that when you're out. We kept playing yesterday and got two third period goals. We kept playing today and got two more. It's a positive sign for our team." - Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar following the team's come-from-behind win over Detroit on Sunday