Just as the Colorado Avalanche got one superstar back, another is suddenly facing injury questions of his own.
Nathan MacKinnon was hobbled during Sunday's Game 3 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights after blocking a shot with his right knee during the second period.
MacKinnon immediately went down in pain during the play, which came on a point shot from Canadian Olympic teammate Shea Theodore, causing referees to blow the whistle.
After limping to the bench under his own power, the Avs forward skated two more shifts before heading down the tunnel.
MacKinnon returned during the third period but took just one even-strength shift. He also hopped over the boards for a power play and 6-on-5 opportunity.
The Cole Harbor, N.S., native finished with 18:02 ice time in the 5-3 defeat. Head coach Jared Bednar said he did not have an update on MacKinnon's status post-game.
“You lose Nate and Val ... so you’re running a shorter bench, and you’re just doing the best you can to try and create a chance to win the hockey game,” said Bednar. “I don’t know, how do you navigate it? You just put your head down (and) keep working. You got three different lines or two different lines, and spot shift in your 10th guy to try and give some guys a break; not ideal circumstances for sure.”
Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet
The quest for the Stanley Cup begins with 16 teams and ends with one champion. Don't miss a moment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with every game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Broadcast schedule
The hit for Colorado comes just as star defenceman Cale Makar returned for his series debut in Game 3.
“It’s tough, he sells out for a shot block, and unfortunately, it’s obviously because of a bad turnover from us,” Makar said about MacKinnon. “And then just giving them those opportunities in the first place, so (that) shouldn’t happen. But obviously an amazing block there.”
MacKinnon, 30, won the Rocket Richard Trophy this season with 53 goals in 80 games while leading the Avalanche to the Presidents' Trophy. He has seven goals and eight assists in 12 playoff games.
Game 4 between the Avalanche and Golden Knights is set for Tuesday (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT).
Vegas leads the series 3-0.
—With files from Associated Press
2:16
2:51