Toronto – Nathan MacKinnon’s impressive goal late in the third period completed a remarkable comeback for the Colorado Avalanche, who overcame a three-goal deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The win extends the Avalanche’s winning streak to three games, improving their record to 28-12-3.
MacKinnon, extending his point streak to seven games, delivered the decisive goal with a wrist shot after eluding a Maple Leafs defender. Mikko Rantanen and Jonathan Drouin each contributed a goal and an assist, while goalie Alexandar Georgiev made 26 saves to secure the victory.
The Maple Leafs, led by goals from Max Domi, Morgan Rielly, and Timothy Liljegren, appeared in control early in the game but couldn’t sustain their momentum. Martin Jones made 28 saves in his seventh consecutive start for Toronto.
Colorado’s comeback began with Drouin’s second-period power-play goal, followed by Rantanen’s goal to cut the deficit to one. Andrew Cogliano then tied the game in the third period before MacKinnon’s game-winner. Ross Colton added an empty-net goal in the final seconds for the final tally.
Toronto’s coach Sheldon Keefe expressed disappointment in the team’s defensive lapses, particularly during Colorado’s comeback. The Maple Leafs’ failure to maintain their early lead ended their five-game point streak.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar praised his team’s resilience and the contributions from players like Cogliano, noting the importance of secondary scoring in tight games.
The victory for Colorado highlights their ability to mount comebacks and the depth of their offensive talent. For Toronto, the game serves as a reminder of the need for consistency and defensive solidity throughout the entire match.
The Avalanche will look to continue their winning form in their upcoming back-to-back games, while the Maple Leafs aim to bounce back against the Detroit Red Wings.
