Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon’s comical reaction to scoring 50 goals for 1st time

Scoring 50 goals in a single NHL season is quite an accomplishment for a player. Doing it for the first time – in the middle of a hat trick no less – is even more special. Nathan MacKinnon knows what that feels like after his latest stellar performance in a 5-2 Colorado Avalanche win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

MacKinnon scored his 49th, 50th and 51st goals of the season, notching his third hat trick of what could end up being an MVP-winning campaign. His teammates are not surprised to see MacKinnon rise to another level this late in the season.

“We were laughing, actually, after his first goal. I thought we were playing in Halifax [again], to be honest,” Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin said. “I’ve seen those breakout goals where he just blows by the [defensemen] and the [defense] doesn’t even stand a chance. He had his legs tonight, for sure, and he made it count.”

Drouin and MacKinnon played together for the Halifax Mooseheads in juniors before being selected first and third respectively in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

After laughing with his teammates during the game, MacKinnon reflected on their importance to him scoring 50 goals for the first time in his 11 NHL seasons.

“I never thought in my life I’d score 50, honestly. I never really thought I would,” MacKinnon said, per Ryan Boulding. “It feels good, obviously. A lot of amazing plays from everybody all season, a lot of empty nets, a lot of hard work from the whole lineup. I think it’s a team achievement, honestly. It’s a team sport. Obviously, it’s tough to get there. You can’t do it alone.”

Five Avalanche players recorded at least two points Tuesday night as MacKinnon led the way with four. Colorado snapped a two-game slide to stay alive in the race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

MacKinnon approaching franchise record