Nichushkin has hat trick, MacKinnon scores go-ahead goal as Avalanche rally for 7-4 win over Leafs

DENVER — Valeri Nichushkin completed a hat trick with an empty-net score after Nathan MacKinnon knocked in the go-ahead goal with 4:15 remaining and the Colorado Avalanche rallied from two goals down to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-4 . It was Nichushkin's first three-goal game in the regular season. He also had a hat trick in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series in 2024. Nichushkin tied his career-high with four points. Joel Kiviranta also scored and MacKinnon closed it out with an empty-netter for the Avalanche, who improved to 5-0 on their six-game homestand. Mitch Marner and John Tavares each had two goals and Auston Matthews added three assists for Toronto.

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