Led by Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, the Central Division all-stars advanced to the final for the first time since the league switched to the format. The Metropolitan division ended up winning the final, 10-5, but it was a solid showing from Colorado’s star forwards in the two exhibitions
In the opening victory over the pacific team, Landeskog notched a hat trick with three goals and one assist. After being selected as the NHL’s ‘last man in’, Landeskog was in contention for the 2019 NHL All-Star Game MVP.
No chance @GabeLandeskog92 was done for the night. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/HMSfgMmFux
— NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2019
Not to be outdone by his linemate, Rantanen finished the first exhibition with a pair of goals and one assist as well.
At one point during the broadcast, the NBC crew raved over the goal-scoring potential that Colorado’s top line possesses: “You can see the magic that these Colorado guys have.”
In the final, Landeskog added one more goal, while Rantanen found the back of the net twice.
Cheering on the duo from the sidelines was Nathan MacKinnon, who served as a coach for the central team, after having to miss the event with an injury.
Coach Nate is PUMPED.#NHLAllStar #GoAvsGo https://t.co/ojCu1twDcQ
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 27, 2019