The Colorado Avalanche were dealt a major blow to their already dim playoff hopes Friday.
UPDATE: Nathan MacKinnon will be out 6-8 weeks with a fractured foot.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 6, 2015
The 2013 No. 1 overall pick has dealt with the sophomore slump this season, potting 14 goals and 38 points in 64 games. It took him 11 games to score his first two goals of the season and through the first 37 games in 2014-15 he totaled just six goals and 20 points. Part of MacKinnon’s decrease in numbers has been attributed to the team’s overall struggles this season as the Avalanche sit nine points back of the Winnipeg Jets for the 2nd wild card spot in the West and currently find themselves last in the Central Division.
Last season, the Avs surprised everyone going from the winners of the NHL Draft Lottery to Central Division Champions, beating out the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. A first round exit left a sour taste, but the team accomplished a lot in such a short span, netting 52 wins and 112 points. A big part of this success was young talent, especially MacKinnon with his winning of the Calder trophy for the League’s best rookie. His freshman performance of 24 goals and 63 points in 82 games played earned him the honor.
He will now spend the rest of his season recovering looking to come back with a vengeance in 2015-16.
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