[NHL] “MacKinnon Dominates MSG”: Avalanche Clinch 3-2 Overtime Thriller Against Rangers, Erasing 42-Second Nightmare

(New York = Won Jeong) The star of Madison Square Garden (MSG), the ‘Mecca of Hockey,‘ ultimately proved to be Nathan MacKinnon. The Colorado Avalanche nearly squandered a victory they had in hand right before the final buzzer, but the determination of their ace secured two crucial points on the road.

In a 2025-26 NHL regular season game held at New York’s Madison Square Garden on the 6th local time, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 in a tightly contested overtime battle. With this victory, the Avalanche secured their 20th win of the season (2 losses, 6 overtime losses), solidifying their position among the league’s elite.

The game started with a tense, low-scoring affair. Struggling to open the net against the opponent’s goalie, Igor Shesterkin, the Avalanche finally took a 1-0 lead in the second period with a deflection goal from Parker Kelly.

The climax of the match came late in the third period. With the score tied 1-1 and about four minutes remaining, MacKinnon scored to seemingly pull the team ahead and seize control. However, the Rangers’ resilience was formidable. With just 42 seconds left in the game, the Avs conceded a painful equalizer to Artemi Panarin, sending the contest to overtime. For the visiting team, it was a crucial moment where momentum could have easily shifted.

But the Avalanche had their finisher in MacKinnon. Just 2 minutes and 46 seconds into overtime (OT), MacKinnon received a pass from Martin Necas and beat Shesterkin with a skillful backhand shot, bringing the game to an end. MacKinnon finished the night with a multi-goal performance, marking his 24th goal of the season.

The unsung hero of the victory was Martin Necas. Necas was involved in all three of the team’s scores, including the game-winner, registering ‘3 assists’ and showcasing fantastic chemistry with MacKinnon. In goal, MacKenzie Blackwood provided stable defense, stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced.

Following the game, the Avalanche players celebrated the dramatic victory. The team’s ‘winning mentality’ was evident, as they refused to collapse despite allowing the tying goal with only 42 seconds remaining.

After securing a hard-fought road victory, the Avalanche have no time to rest. They will immediately face the Philadelphia Flyers in a ‘back-to-back’ road game on the 7th (local time) as they aim to extend their winning streak.