The Toronto Maple Leafs ruined Nathan MacKinnon’s comeback with a 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Having missed the last 10 games for his team, MacKinnon had a difficult return to the game, finishing the game with a differential of minus-3.
Michael Bunting scored twice in the win. Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares finished the game with two points each.
The Torontonians had a 3-2 lead late in the second period when Matthews set the tone with the first of an unanswered three-goal Maple Leafs push.
Toronto have won four of their last five games, a streak more glorious than that of Jared Bednar’s men who suffer a third loss in a row.
Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was replaced by Jonas Johansson in the second period after giving up five times on 24 shots.
Three-point night for Pavelski
Joe Pavelski brightened the Dallas Stars with three points in a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen contributed offensively with two points apiece in the Stars’ fourth straight win.
From the fifth minute of play, Alexander Barabonov opened the scoring with the complicity of Erik Karlsson and Matt Benning.
However, the Sharks have struggled on special teams. They conceded two goals in as many shorthanded chances in the first period. Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson scored in quick succession to give the Stars a 2-1 lead.
Oskar Lindblom tied the game halfway through the game, but the Stars replied nearly two minutes later. Frederik Olofsson restored the Stars to a one-goal lead who then saw Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell complete the scoring late in the third period.
Jake Oettinger did well in the win with 28 saves on 30 shots.
