The decision is relevant primarily because Nathan MacKinnon would face a one-game suspension were he to receive another game misconduct for a physical infraction in his next 41 regular-season games. Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images
March 12, 2026 4:56 pm EDT
Nathan MacKinnon’s slate has been cleaned.
The NHL has rescinded a major penalty and game misconduct the Colorado Avalanche superstar initially received for colliding with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram on Tuesday night, MacKinnon told reporters on Thursday, according to the Denver Post’s Corey Masisak.
The decision is relevant primarily because MacKinnon would face a one-game suspension were he to receive another game misconduct for a physical infraction in his next 41 regular-season games.
MacKinnon, attempting to receive a pass while on a second-period power play, crashed into Ingram in the crease after contact with Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The call was reviewed and upheld, ultimately forcing the Avalanche to kill more than four minutes’ worth of short-handed time. Ingram left the game but has since returned to action. Edmonton came back to beat the Avs 4-3.
Postgame, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar was heated over the situation.
“There’s no chance he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him,” Bednar told reporters. “I don’t care if (Ingram is) injured, not injured, if it’s a severe crash, not a severe crash — it’s not a penalty. If you put guys into your own goalie, it’s not a penalty. … The goalie’s hurt, so it’s five (minutes). Again, I really don’t give a crap if the goalie’s hurt. That’s on their D-man, not our guy.”
MacKinnon, the odds-on favorite to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player, started Thursday tied for second in the league in points (104) and first in goals (43). The league-leading Avalanche play the Seattle Kraken on Friday night.
Mar 12, 2026
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