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Nathan MacKinnon first to 50 goals during 2025-26 NHL season, second time in his career

By
Jack Lowenstein
Assignment Desk Editor, CBS Colorado
Jack Lowenstein is a digital media producer and assignment desk editor with CBS Colorado. At the news desk in Denver, Jack takes pride partnering with public servants every day to confirm necessary information through local, state and federal agencie
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Jack Lowenstein

/ CBS Colorado

Nathan MacKinnon became the first skater to score 50 goals in the 2025-26 NHL regular season during a Colorado Avalanche home defeat against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday night. It was the second time the Avs superstar achieved the 50-goal mark in his professional hockey career. 

MacKinnon's 50th tally of the season came with an all-out, individual effort by the centerman in the first period of play. Despite three unanswered goals by the Avs in the third, the late push came up short in an 8-6 defeat to Vancouver.   

This is the 11th time a member of the Colorado Avalanche or Quebec Nordiques has achieved or eclipsed 50 goals in a regular season. It's the third time an Avs/Nordiques player has recorded multiple 50-goal seasons; MacKinnon joins Joe Sakic (Avalanche) and Michel Goulet (Nordiques).     

MacKinnon has remained among the elite superstars in the league since the first puck drop of the season. He leads the Avs in goals, assists, points and individual +/- goal differential (+56, a career high). He also leads his team in power play goals. 

Vancouver Canucks v Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Vancouver Canucks at Ball Arena on April 1, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images

With games still in hand, MacKinnon is currently enjoying his second-highest scoring regular season with over 120 points. During his highest-scoring season, he finished with 140 points in 2023-24, when he scored 51 goals for the first time. Although he might not outdo his points total, he is on pace to well surpass his total in goals. 

Down the stat line, MacKinnon has also recorded his highest goal scoring efficiency in his career with a 15.4% shooting percentage and a career-high 51.1% faceoff percentage.

As a team, the Colorado Avalanche remained at the top of the league heading into the contest with 108 points, leading the division rival Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres, which all had 100 points respectively. 

The Avalanche also entered the night with the league leading team goal differential with a +92, the Hurricanes being the closest with a +45. 

MacKinnon's league dominance continues to be a pivotal factor for his team's success on the score sheet and in the win column.  

© 2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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