NEWARK, N.J. — The Avalanche got used to Nathan MacKinnon notching a nightly goal in the team’s first six games, but the squad fared fine with his two assists Thursday as Gabe Landeskog recorded a hat trick, leading Colorado past New Jersey, 5-3, at the Prudential Center Thursday night. The forward’s three goals helped level the NHL’s last remaining undefeated team.
Landeskog’s fifth goal of the year broke a 3-3 tie with 3:22 left in regulation off a slap shot inside the upper right corner, giving MacKinnon his second assist of the evening. Winger Mikko Rantanen notched his assist, minutes before tapping in the team’s fifth and final goal — a one-handed shot against an empty net.