If it feels like just yesterday that Nathan MacKinnon hit 1,000 career points, it’s because it almost was. Almost 10 months to the day from when the Avalanche superstar scored his 1,000th career point, he hit 1,100 with a three-point performance against the Washington Capitals to lead his team to a 5-2 victory at Ball Arena Monday. MacKinnon became just the 70th player in NHL history to hit 1,100 career points. In just 47 games this season, he’s already up to 85 points. In typical MacKinnon fashion, he didn’t want to make it about himself. “I just want to play well, feel good, help the team,” he said. “In my mind, it could go away any day, so I’m not enjoying (milestones) right now.” His teammates can’t help but marvel at what he does each and every day, though. “It’s very, very impressive,” Victor Olofsson said. “I think probably his best asset is his mentality and work ethic. Doesn’t take any night off, and it’s very hard to play on a level like that consistently every night, so it’s been cool to see.” MacKinnon’s three points led the way for a shorthanded Colorado squad, which learned a few hours before the game it would be playing without Valeri Nichushkin. The big forward was in a car accident on the way to the game and after being checked out at the arena, it was determined he was not healthy enough to play. Jared Bednar described his injuries as “minor” and he’ll be re-evaluated when the team returns to practice on Tuesday. Without Nichushkin, Olofsson moved up to the second line with Brock Nelson and Ross Colton and scored the game-winning goal off a Josh Manson rebound in the second period. It was the top line that led the way for Colorado, though. MacKinnon and Martin Necas went to work in the second period, with the Avalanche star center scoring a highlight-reel, power-play goal after dancing around a Capitals forward in the neutral zone. In the third period, MacKinnon and Cale Makar looked like they had given the Avalanche a two-goal lead off a beautiful give-and-go play, but the Capitals challenged it and were able to overturn the goal with what the league determined to be goaltender interference. It was yet another controversial call, as it didn’t look like Necas had impeded Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren’s ability to get across the crease on the play. “I have no clue what (goaltender interference) is still to this day,” Bednar said after the game. “I don’t mind saying it.” It could have been a turning point in favor of the Capitals, but Colorado’s top line wouldn’t let that happen. Just a few minutes after the goal was disallowed, MacKinnon stole the puck from the Capitals and fed Artturi Lehkonen in front to make it 4-2. After the puck entered the net, MacKinnon emphatically pointed at it to let everyone in the building know that one was going to count. Necas fed MacKinnon just 4 minutes later to make it 5-2, sealing the Avalanche victory. *** Avalanche 5, Capitals 2 What happened: Colorado responded to Bednar saying he “hated” everything about its last game. What went right: Parker Kelly got the party started for the Avalanche, scoring his ninth goal of the season. That’s a new career high for the Alberta native. What went wrong: Have you ever seen a player get called for tripping when their stick isn’t in their hands? Well, now you have, as the refs called Scott Wedgewood for tripping after Anthony Beauvillier knocked the goaltender’s stick out of his hands and then proceeded to trip over it. “I’m just a dirty player,” Wedgewood joked after the game. Avalanche goal scorers: Kelly (9), MacKinnon (37,38), Olofsson (9), Lehkonen (16) Capitals goal scorers: Chychrun (18), Frank (11) Between the pipes: Scott Wedgewood got the win, stopping 22 of 24 shots. It could be Wedgewood’s final start for a little bit as his wife is expecting their second child later this week. What’s next: The Avalanche are back at Ball Arena on Wednesday when they take on the Anaheim Ducks at 7 p.m. ...read more read less