Leafs defeat Avalanche to spoil MacKinnon's return to lineup after injury absence
Colorado star missed last 11 games with upper-body injury
Michael Bunting had two goals, Auston Matthews and T.J. Brodie scored 24 seconds apart in the second period, and the Toronto Maple Leafs spoiled Nathan MacKinnon's return with a 6-2 road win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.
"They got Nate back tonight, which gives them a big push," Matthews said. "I thought we defended really well and limited their time and space. It's a big win for us to end this trip off against a good team and get back home."
MacKinnon missed 11 games with an upper-body injury suffered Dec. 5 against Philadelphia. His initial timeline was returning next week, but he was able to get back early, finishing with a minus-3 in 22:19 of ice time.
"He had his legs underneath him," coach Jared Bendar said. "I thought his timing might be off a little bit, but obviously Nate keeps himself in great condition, came back ready to skate and play. He was pretty dangerous at times. It'll take him a game or two to figure out the timing of it, but I thought he played pretty hard tonight."
WATCH | Leafs' offence clicks in win over Avalanche:
J.T. Compher had a goal and an assist, and Devon Toews scored for Colorado, which has dropped two straight.
The Maple Leafs finished 2-1 on their road trip and held onto a third period lead after losing late advantages at St. Louis and Arizona.
"The last couple games we've been sitting back a little too much," Marner said of the third period. "We didn't do that tonight."
That ended goaltender Alexandar Georgiev's night after he allowed five goals on 24 shots. Jonas Johansson had six saves in relief.
"It wasn't poor effort, our guys are giving the effort, but he didn't play his best," Bednar said of Georgiev. "We've certainly seen him play better than he played tonight, which is why we made the change in goal."
Bunting scored into an empty net at 16:11 of the third, his 11th of the season.
Marner and Engvall gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the first with goals 2:36 apart and Compher scored his seventh at 17:28.
The Avalanche took a penalty eight seconds into the third period and Bunting scored at 34 seconds. Toews made it 3-2 when his shot went off Matthews' skate in the crease at 9:45.
