Nathan MacKinnon became the 100th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points on Monday night.
What happened?
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon notched his 1,000th point with an assist on Artturi Lehkonen’s third-period goal in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The milestone came in his 856th career game, placing him second behind Connor McDavid for the feat this season.
MacKinnon’s first assist of the night—initially credited as his 1,000th point on a Martin Necas tally—was overturned after video review. The corrected play still counted toward his milestone, capping a milestone night in Denver.
Why it matters for Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is now the 100th player to join the 1,000-point club, a list that includes legends like Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. His path to the mark required 856 games, slower than McDavid’s 659-game pace but still elite company.
The Avalanche star has been Colorado’s franchise cornerstone since 2013, drafted fourth overall out of Halifax. His 1,000-point total includes 456 goals and 544 assists, with his playmaking and speed driving the Avalanche’s sustained success.
How the night unfolded
Chicago’s defense collapsed under Colorado’s forecheck early. Lehkonen’s breakaway goal, set up by MacKinnon, opened the scoring at 15:42 of the third period. The Avalanche held on for the shutout behind Semyon Varlamov’s 28-save effort.
MacKinnon’s night nearly started sooner. His first assist—ruled offside on review—would have given him the milestone in the first period. The Avalanche still controlled the game, but the official call delayed the celebration.
What comes next?
MacKinnon now turns his focus to the playoffs. The Avalanche, seeded second in the Central, aim to defend their 2022 Stanley Cup. His production will be critical as Colorado chases another deep run.
The 26-year-old enters his prime with room to climb this list. Only 11 active players have 1,000 points, and MacKinnon could push into the top 50 before his career ends.