Kiviranta records a hat trick, MacKinnon scores two assists as Avalanche defeats Kraken 5-2

Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Joel Kiviranta scored three goals, including two on empty nets, Nathan MacKinnon had his third straight two-assist game and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 5-2 on Sunday night.

Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar also scored goals for Colorado’s third win in a row. In addition to MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Makar had two assists as the Avalanche won the three-game season series with the Kraken. Kiviranta secured the win with two late goals without a goal. It was his first hat trick in the regular season.

Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 17 shots and improved to 3-1 as the Avalanche traded him and sent Alexandar Georgiev to San Jose.

The Kraken appeared lethargic in the first period a day after a 6-2 loss in Vegas. But they found energy as the game progressed and briefly took the lead in the second period before Nichushkin and Kiviranta scored.

Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko scored for Seattle, which has lost five straight. Joey Daccord made 24 saves.

Takeaways

Kraken: Kakko scored his first goal in his third game with Seattle after being acquired in a deal with the New York Rangers on December 18th.

Avalanche: Colorado survived the only penalty they committed. They have now converted 14 penalties in a row.

Key moment

Nichushkin scored 11 seconds after Kakko’s goal gave Seattle a 2-1 lead in the second period. According to NHL Stats, both teams have combined to score quicker goals only twice this season.

Important statistics

Makar, Rantanen and MacKinnon had the same goal together for the tenth time this season. It’s the most of any trio in the league.

Next

After the holiday break, Colorado hosts Utah on Friday, while Seattle plays Vancouver on Saturday.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL