MacKinnon Out For Avalanche in Regular Season Home Finale

Nathan MacKinnon will not play for the Avalanche when they host the Vancouver Canucks at Ball Arena on Thursday.

Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed that his superstar centerman is dealing with a minor injury that may also keep him out this weekend for the remainder of the regular season.

“He’s dealing with something,” Bednar said, not specifying MacKinnon’s injury. “I think you get to this point in the year, all these guys are dealing with something.

“The guy that didn’t get the break, too, for the 4 Nations. This has been a tough stretch of games since then.”

MacKinnon is tied with Nikita Kucherov atop the NHL points race. He’s in the running for his first Art Ross Trophy, but this might secure a back-to-back victory for Tampa Bay’s star.

“I don’t think it matters to him,” Bednar said. “I think winning has always been the most important thing to him. Having accomplished that in 2022, I think you got a taste for it, and he wants to win again.”

MacKinnon was the MVP of the 4 Nations Face-Off. He has not missed a game since Dec. 29, 2022. It’s safe to say he’d be playing if the Avs had much to play for during these final three games.