Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon suffered a facial injury during Monday’s playoff game against the Minnesota Wild after being struck by a puck, but he returned to the ice and scored a goal in a 5-2 victory that gave his team a 3-1 series lead in the second round.
The incident occurred when Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews attempted to clear the puck following a save by goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, accidentally hitting MacKinnon in the face. MacKinnon collapsed to the ice, bleeding heavily, and was forced to leave the game with 67 seconds remaining in the second period.
During the second intermission, he received medical treatment and was back on the ice for the start of the third period in Minnesota. Parker Kelly broke a 2-2 tie early in the third, and MacKinnon added an empty-net goal to seal the win. Blackwood, making his postseason debut, recorded 19 saves for Colorado.
The Avalanche can advance to the conference finals with a home win against the Wild on Wednesday.