What penalty was assessed to Nathan MacKinnon and what happened to it?

Nathan MacKinnon was given a five-minute major penalty for goaltender interference along with a game misconduct during the Colorado Avalanche's game against the Edmonton Oilers. This occurred late in the second period on a power play when momentum carried him into Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram after a block by Darnell Nurse. The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the play upon appeal from Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland and rescinded the penalty on March 12, clearing MacKinnon's record and avoiding any suspension risk under NHL Rule 23.6.

How did the Avalanche react to the penalty call?

Head coach Jared Bednar strongly protested the call, stating 'It's not a penalty' and highlighting MacKinnon's effort to avoid contact after Nurse's dive. Teammates like Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar echoed the frustration in postgame interviews. The Avalanche bench immediately protested, and the team successfully killed off the major penalty despite being shorthanded.

What was the impact of the penalty on the game outcome?

The ejection left Colorado short-handed for the final 18 minutes plus, testing their depth against Edmonton's power play. Although the Avalanche killed the major and tied the game in the third period, Connor McDavid's power-play goal at 9:03 sealed a 4-3 victory for the Oilers. This snapped Colorado's five-game win streak in a key Central Division matchup.

How does this incident fit into the Avalanche-Oilers rivalry?

The March 10 game added intensity to the heated rivalry, with Edmonton snapping Colorado's streak after the Avalanche's earlier 9-1 rout in November. MacKinnon's physical style exemplifies the series' competitiveness, and officials' calls have drawn scrutiny in past playoff encounters. The penalty rescission refocuses attention on Colorado's playoff push in the tight Central Division.

What are the implications for Nathan MacKinnon moving forward?

The rescission clears MacKinnon's record under NHL rules, preventing automatic suspensions for future game misconducts, unlike teammate Mikko Rantanen earlier in the season. He remains central to Colorado's top line and power play without availability concerns. MacKinnon is expected to channel the frustration into strong performance in upcoming games, like against the Seattle Kraken.

NHL Rescinds Nathan MacKinnon's Major Goaltender Interference Penalty vs Oilers

Q: What caused the collision involving MacKinnon and Connor Ingram?

During a Colorado power play, MacKinnon received a cross-ice pass and drove to the net for a tip-in. He redirected the puck wide, but Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse dove to block it, striking MacKinnon's hip with his head. The momentum from this contact propelled MacKinnon into goaltender Connor Ingram, knocking him down and causing a cut on his forehead, which forced Ingram out of the game.

Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche received welcome news from the NHL. The league rescinded the major penalty and game misconduct assessed to the Avalanche star during Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers. MacKinnon confirmed the decision to The Denver Post, noting that general manager Chris MacFarland pushed for the review.

The incident has sparked debate about goaltender interference rules and on-ice officiating. It came at a pivotal moment late in the second period, with Colorado on a power play. MacKinnon now avoids any suspension risk under NHL Rule 23.6, which mandates penalties for repeat game misconducts.

The play that changed the game

The sequence unfolded on a Colorado power play with under two minutes left in the second period. MacKinnon drove hard to the net, receiving a cross-ice pass intended for a tip-in. He redirected the puck wide of the net, but Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse dove to block it, striking MacKinnon’s hip with his head.

Momentum carried MacKinnon into Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram, knocking him to the ice. Ingram suffered a cut on his forehead, skated off under his own power, but did not return. Backup Calvin Pickard took over for the remainder of the game.

Officials immediately signaled a five-minute major for goaltender interference, paired with a game misconduct that ejected MacKinnon. Video review upheld the call on the ice, drawing immediate protests from the Avalanche bench.

Colorado killed off the major penalty, tying the game in the third period. However, Connor McDavid’s power-play goal at 9:03 sealed Edmonton’s victory. The loss snapped Colorado’s five-game win streak.

Avalanche voices outrage postgame

Head coach Jared Bednar was blunt in his assessment. “It’s not a penalty,” Bednar said, emphasizing MacKinnon’s effort to avoid contact after Nurse’s hit. Teammates echoed the sentiment, arguing the defenseman’s dive altered MacKinnon’s path.

The frustration stemmed from the high stakes. Edmonton capitalized on four power-play chances, including two goals, against Colorado’s league-third-best penalty kill entering the night.

Players like Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar voiced support for MacKinnon in postgame interviews. The ejection left the Avalanche short-handed for the final 18 minutes plus, testing their depth.

Bednar highlighted spatial awareness rules, noting MacKinnon’s skates stayed outside the crease initially. The call felt particularly harsh given the puck pursuit.

Nhl reviews, admits error, and rescinds

Behind the scenes, MacFarland appealed the call to the league. The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed video and rescinded the penalty on Friday, March 12.

MacKinnon addressed it calmly. “I think (general manager Chris MacFarland) asked them to review it, from what I know, and they took it away,” he told The Denver Post. “Mistakes happen.”

He elaborated on the chaos: “I knew I got hit. Nurse made a good play on the puck and hit me after. There was nothing I could do.” MacKinnon assumed the initial call was for review, expecting a power play upon return.

The rescission clears MacKinnon’s record under the rule, preventing automatic suspensions for future infractions. Teammate Mikko Rantanen had faced such a ban earlier this season.

Key players in the spotlight

Nathan MacKinnon: Drove the play, finished with limited impact due to ejection. His season includes milestones like his 381st career goal, underscoring his franchise legacy.
Darnell Nurse: Dive initiated contact; praised by MacKinnon for puck battle but criticized for positioning.
Connor Ingram: Injured in collision; cut forehead forced early exit after strong start.
Connor McDavid: Game-winner highlighted Oilers’ star power.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: Two goals fueled Edmonton’s offense.

These individuals shaped a tense Central Division clash.

Rivalry heats up between Avalanche and Oilers

The March 10 matchup added fuel to a heated rivalry. Edmonton snapped Colorado’s streak, but the Avalanche had dominated earlier, including a 9-1 rout in November.

MacKinnon’s physical style fits the series’ intensity. Officials’ calls often draw scrutiny in these games, as seen in past playoffs.

Colorado enters Thursday’s matchup in Seattle with momentum restored. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg debuts amid injuries, adjusting to 11 forwards and seven blueliners.

The rescission validates the Avalanche’s stance and refocuses attention on their playoff push. With the Central Division tight, every decision matters.

Looking ahead for MacKinnon and Colorado

The penalty lift removes a cloud over MacKinnon’s availability. He remains central to Colorado’s top line and power play.

Fans appreciate the league’s correction, though questions linger on real-time reviews. Bednar’s comments signal ongoing dialogue with officials.

As the Avalanche face the Kraken, expect MacKinnon to channel the frustration into production. For more on the full game recap, check ESPN’s coverage.

This episode underscores the fine line in net-front battles. Colorado moves forward stronger, eyeing a deep playoff run with their star intact.

NHL Rescinds Nathan MacKinnon's Major Penalty Against the Oilers

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