NEWARK — Going into Sunday’s night game against the New York Islanders at Brooklyn, the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon-centered line was on what for this team qualifies as a tear.
MacKinnon plus wingers Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen had five points apiece in the previous four games. MacKinnon had a goal and four assists, Landeskog two goals and three assists, and Rantanen — thanks to his first career hat trick against Montreal — had three goals and two assists.
Then the line struggled against the Islanders, and Colorado’s only goal in the 5-1 loss came from fourth-line winger Joe Colborne, who hadn’t scored since his opening-night hat trick against Dallas.