Nathan MacKinnon Continues To Dazzle, Nets OT Winner

Nathan MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal, giving the Avalanche a 4-3 win in Game 5 and a 3-2 series lead over the Minnesota Wild. After an impressive debut, and a great follow-up in Game 2, the Avalanche rookie added to his short (though fast-growing) playoff resume with a three-point performance capped off by this wrister in overtime.

MacKinnon—who assisted on goals by Nick Holden and PA Parenteau in the second and third periods, respectively—now has 10 points in the series, the most in the league.

The goal from Parenteau came with the Colorado net empty and tied the game with 1:14 left, but was a controversial one. It looked like Paul Stastny was a step offside on the play right before MacKinnon carried the puck into the zone.

The linesman was in terrible position and did not blow the play dead. Moments later, the game was tied. MacKinnon likely never gets a chance to be the overtime hero if this play is called correctly, but that's just the way it goes. Very rarely does skill score unassisted, luck and chance are usually always there, too.

the broadcast mentioned that MacKinnon seemed a little tentative at first, but it's clear he was settled in by overtime.

"It was pretty exciting and this one definitely tops the list," he said.

Gabriel Landeskog had the puck along the left-wing boards when he heard MacKinnon yell.

"I was kind of screaming for it," MacKinnon said. "It definitely was a good heads-up play by him, a little saucer pass to my blade and thankfully it went top corner."

He's still only 18 years old and still playing like a 36-year-old.

Avalanche beat Wild on MacKinnon's OT goal [NHL]

Nathan MacKinnon scores Avalanche OT winner after controversial game-tying goal [Puck Daddy]