Avs' Nathan MacKinnon, bloodied by puck to face, returns to game
May 11, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) looks on during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon, bloodied by a puck to the face, briefly left the Avalanche's game against the Minnesota Wild on Monday in Minneapolis before returning to action.
Avalanche teammate Devon Toews tried to clear a puck out of the defensive zone and inadvertently fired the puck into MacKinnon's face with 1:07 left in the second period. MacKinnon immediately went down and was attended to by trainers, who helped him cover his bloody face with a towel. There also was blood on the inside of his visor.
MacKinnon skated toward the locker room under his own power with the score 1-1.
When the third period started, MacKinnon was back on the ice.
MacKinnon, 30, had 127 points during the regular season and led the NHL with 53 goals. Through the Avalanche's first seven playoff games this spring before Monday, he had five goals and six assists.
--Field Level Media
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