No surprise, Nathan MacKinnon will represent the Avalanche in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa on Jan. 28 and the skills competition the night before.
MacKinnon, 22, is tied for second in the NHL with 52 points (18 goals, 34 assists) in 41 games. He ranks second in points-per-game (1.27) and is seventh in assists.
MacKinnon has two more goals than he scored all last season and needs one point to match his points total. He needs six goals and five assists to tie his 2013-14 totals of 24 goals, 39 assists and 63 points he had while winning the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.
Here's your full #NHLAllStar roster breakdown: https://t.co/E86yiERnCc
— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2018
MacKinnon made his first career All-Star Game appearance last season in Los Angeles and becomes the first Avalanche player to be chosen to two consecutive All-Star Games since Joe Sakic in 2003-04 and 2006-07; the 2004-05 season was cancelled as a result of the lockout, and the 2005-06 game didn't take place because NHL players took part in the Winter Games. He is the league's top scorer since Nov. 1, totaling 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 30 games. MacKinnon has a career-high 16 multi-point games this season, with three or more points in seven games.
MacKinnon leads the NHL in scoring at home with 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists) in 23 games.
The Avalanche are in the middle of their league-mandated five-day break and will practice Friday before leaving for Dallas, where they play the Stars on Saturday. *****
The Avalanche reassigned goalie Andrew Hammond to Belleville of the AHL, and forward A.J. Greer and defenseman Andrei Mironov to San Antonio of the AHL.
Goalie Jonathan Bernier was named the NHL's second star for the week ending Jan. 7. He won all three of his games with a 1.60 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.