This isn’t the first injury scare Nathan MacKinnon has had of these playoffs, but given the must-win nature of Sunday’s Game 3, Colorado Avalanche fans are rightfully worried about their star’s health.
During the second period of Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, MacKinnon blocked a shot off the right side of his knee while in the defensive zone. MacKinnon was down on the ice for a few moments in clear pain before being helped up by his teammates. He made his way to the Avalanche bench under his own power.
MacKinnon stayed on the bench at first and took the ice for another shift, but with time winding down in the second period, the Avalanche star left for the locker room and was visibly limping on his way there.
Play was blown dead as Nathan MacKinnon was in a TON of pain after blocking a shot and stayed down for a while 🤕 pic.twitter.com/WeV4516YLy
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 25, 2026
MacKinnon has left the Avs bench visibly limping down the tunnel 😬 https://t.co/XG69uFeIuhpic.twitter.com/LAAmojjK6k
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 25, 2026
We’ll have to wait and see if MacKinnon returns for the start of the third period. The Avalanche and Golden Knights were tied 3-3 at the end of the second frame, with Vegas leading the series 2-0.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nathan MacKinnon injury update: Avs star’s status after leaving Game 3