10 Observations: MacKinnon, Makar Dominate in Victory Over Oilers

It was expected to be a playoff-type game against the Edmonton Oilers and it was just that. Nathan MacKinnon had four points, Cale Makar had three and the Avalanche battled hard to earn two points in the last game before the 4 Nations break.

The top line carried the brunt of the load and Mackenzie Blackwood was outstanding, again. The Avs proved to be the better team with multiple factors against them.

10 Observations

1. MacKinnon makes everyone he plays with a better player. The 29-year-old superstar scored one of his own and assisted on three others.

“We have a similar style of game. Like to carry it off the rush, both righties. So I think we think similar, so we can imagine where each other would be on the ice. So it’s a lot of fun. He’s a dynamic player. He’s amazing. And it’s been good so far,” MacKinnon said about playing with Martin Necas.

2. Casey Mittelstadt continues to struggle which showed in his reduced ice time. He played 9:34 this game. He was on the ice for 11:50 against Calgary and 13:42 vs Vancouver.

3. Discipline was an issue with the Avs racking up five minor penalties. Edmonton only converted on two but the flow of the game was thrown off by the infractions.

4. Mackenzie Blackwood played in both back-to-back games and made some huge saves against two of the top scorers in the league.

5. Head coach Jared Bednar’s faith in the Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor line was showcased with increased ice time.

6. Makar scored his second shorthanded goal of the season and third of his career. The elite defenseman is one point away from 400 at the age of 26.

7. The Avs don’t lose a step in the second of a back-to-back. They are 5-2-0 in the second games of the seven back-to-backs they’ve played this season and won both games in three of them.

8. Back to MacKinnon. His passing ability and playmaking skills are unreal. Forehand to backhand slide pass to Artturi Lehkonen to put the Avs up by one in the first period. He’s fun to watch.

9. Back to Makar. And MacKinnon. The setup was pristine and Makar ripped it past Stuart Skinner in the most superstar fashion possible. They’re fun to watch.

10. The top line did most of the work offensively and the consistency of the Avs’ depth continues to be an issue. Valeri Nichushkin is expected back after the 4 Nations break so we’ll see if that changes the team’s storyline.