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Avalanche rally past Penguins 5-2 as MacKinnon posts 3 assists and a goal

The Colorado Avalanche staged a dramatic comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to secure a 5-2 victory. Nathan MacKinnon led the charge with three assists and a power-play goal, while Artturi Lehkonen scored twice, including the tying goal just 25 seconds into the second period.

T.J. Hughes made his NHL debut with a goal, and Mackenzie Blackwood stabilized Colorado’s net with 29 saves.

Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust had given the Penguins an early lead, but the Avalanche’s explosive second period—featuring three goals—turned the tide. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby recorded his 1,110th career assist, moving into a tie for seventh place in NHL history, just one assist shy of matching Ray Bourque’s franchise record with Boston.

In another high-scoring game, the Boston Bruins rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 4-2, marking their fourth consecutive win. Elias Lindholm scored the game-winning goal in the third period, while David Pastrnak added a power-play tally and Frederic Brunet earned his first NHL goal.

The Ducks’ struggles continued as they lost three straight home games, surrendering 13 goals in the process. Anaheim’s captain, Mikael Granlund, sat out with an upper-body injury, while Cutter Gauthier made his NHL debut at center, filling in for the injured player.

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Nathan MacKinnon has goal and 3 assists, Artturi Lehkonen scores twice as Avs beat Penguins 5-2