The Colorado Avalanche currently lead the Central Division with 44 points, primarily due to the impressive performance of star center Nathan MacKinnon. As of the 2025-26 season, MacKinnon is on track for a career-high 66.8 goals, surpassing his previous best of 51 goals from the 2023-24 season. Currently, he has scored 22 goals in 27 games, which includes two game-winning goals.
Nathan MacKinnon’s Projected Career Year: A Mirage?
Despite these impressive statistics, MacKinnon has faced challenges this season. He has gone scoreless in 12 of the 27 games played, translating to a 44.4 percent scoring drought. This inconsistency raises questions about his ability to reach his goal projection.
Current Performance Statistics
- Games Played: 27
- Total Goals: 22
- League Points Leader: 46 points
- Goals Scored in Games: 12
- Games with Consecutive Scorelessness: 2 instances of 3 games
- Turnovers: 45 (7th in the league)
While MacKinnon’s scoring cannot be dismissed, he has struggled with giveaways. He ranks seventh in the league for turnovers, a troubling statistic that hampers his offensive contribution. Martin Necas and Zach Werenski lead the league in turnovers with 52, highlighting the need for MacKinnon to improve in this area.
Avalanche Power Play Struggles
The Avalanche’s power play remains a significant concern, ranking 25th with a conversion rate of just 15.6 percent. Despite generating quality shots, MacKinnon and his teammates often fall into the trap of over-passing, which leads to missed opportunities on the ice.
New assistant coach Dave Hakstol has implemented changes in the power play unit. However, frustrations are mounting as the team fails to convert chances into goals. MacKinnon leads the team with six power-play goals, but many fans and analysts believe he could have achieved much more.
With the season still in progress, it is yet to be determined whether MacKinnon can maintain his scoring lead or achieve a new career record in goals. His current performance reflects both considerable potential and noticeable challenges.
