Avs’ Nathan MacKinnon says NHL rescinded major penalty

The NHL rescinded the game misconduct Nathan MacKinnon received Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, the Colorado Avalanche star told The Denver Post.

On a power play late in the second period, MacKinnon went hard to the net as Brock Nelson sent him a pass. As MacKinnon tipped the puck wide, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse dived into him, with Nurse’s head connecting on MacKinnon’s hip. MacKinnon barreled into Oilers goalie Connor Ingram, knocking him to the ice. Ingram skated off on his own with a cut on his forehead but did not return to the game.

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The officials gave MacKinnon a major penalty for interference on the goaltender and upheld that call after video review.

That decision drew the ire of the Avs after the 4-3 home loss, as they contested MacKinnon wasn’t able to avoid Ingram because of the Nurse hit.

“I think [general manager Chris MacFarland] asked them to review it, from what I know, and they took it away,” MacKinnon told the Post. “Mistakes happen.”

Because of the NHL’s reversal, MacKinnon no longer will receive an automatic one-game suspension if he receives another game misconduct this season.