Makar, MacKinnon lead Avalanche to 3-1 win over Coyotes
Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse, front, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Darren Helm (obscured) pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 24, 2023, in downtown Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
DENVER — Cale Makar had a goal and two assists in his return to the lineup, Nathan MacKinnon also had a goal and two assists, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Friday night.
J.T. Compher had a goal, Valeri Nichushkin added two assists and Alexandar Georgiev stopped 17 shots for Colorado.
The Avalanche are in third place in the Central Division with 90 points — two behind first-place Dallas and one behind Minnesota. Colorado has played one fewer game than the Stars and Wild.
Clayton Keller scored and Karel Vejmelka had 28 saves for Arizona, which has dropped two in a row.
Makar missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but was active from the start Friday night. He fed MacKinnon for a power-play goal at 12:52 of the first period, his 31st goal of the season, to put the Avalanche ahead 1-0.
MacKinnon extended his home point streak to 19 games, and he has at least one point in his last 11 games. He has 93 points in 60 games and has 11 games to reach 100 points for the first time in his career.
Keller continued his hot stretch with his 35th goal to tie it with 1:03 left in the first period. He now has an 11-game point streak and has eight goals in the last seven games.
Colorado Avalanche center Darren Helm, right, chases after the puck with Arizona Coyotes left wing Matias Maccelli in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 24, 2023, in downtown Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Makar nearly scored in the second period but his shot rang off the crossbar and flew 20 rows into the stands. Minutes later, Vejmelka made a sprawling pad save on Makar’s wraparound attempt to keep it tied.
Makar’s 17th of the season made it 2-1 at 6:41 of the third, and Compher knocked in Makar’s rebound at 11:17 to give the Avalanche a two-goal lead.
NOTES: Avalanche D Erik Johnson was back in the lineup for the first time since suffering a broken ankle Feb. 11 at Florida. He missed 19 games. ... Arizona LW Brett Ritchie was back in the lineup after missing Wednesday’s overtime loss at Edmonton. ... Colorado C Evan Rodgrigues remained in the concussion protocol and missed his second game in a row.
UP NEXT
Arizona Coyotes center Jack McBain, front, checks Colorado Avalanche center Alex Newhook during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 24, 2023, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Coyotes: Host Colorado on Sunday in the opener of a four-game homestand.
Avalanche: At Arizona on Sunday to open a two-game trip.
