The New York Islanders announced Brock Nelson’s two-goal first period powered the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nelson completed his fifth career hat trick with an empty-net goal.
Jack Drury also scored for NHL-leading Colorado, who improved to 35-6-9. MacKenzie Blackwood made 32 saves in the win.
Colorado became the fourth team in NHL history with six or fewer regulation losses through 50 games.
The Avalanche joined the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers (35-3-12), 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens (38-5-7) and 1975-76 Canadiens (36-6-8) in reaching that milestone.
The last team with at least 77 points through 50 contests was the 2022-23 Boston Bruins (38-7-5). Boston went on to set the NHL record for wins in a season with 65.
Max Domi scored a late power-play goal for Toronto. Joseph Woll stopped 33 shots for the Maple Leafs, who fell to 24-19-9.
The Maple Leafs beat Colorado 4-3 in overtime in Denver on Jan. 12. But Toronto has dropped six of seven games (1-4-2), including an 0-3-1 start to their current five-game homestand.
That poor stretch followed an 8-0-2 run for the Maple Leafs.
Nelson opened the scoring at 6:19 of the first period on a 2-on-1 break. He added his second goal just 1:12 later on a pass from Artturi Lehkonen from behind Woll’s net.
Nelson has 27 goals this season.
He tied Alex DeBrincat and Kyle Connor with eight for the third-most 25-goal seasons among active American players. Patrick Kane leads with 11, followed by Toronto captain Auston Matthews with 10.
What’s Next
Avalanche: At Ottawa on Wednesday night.
Maple Leafs: Host Buffalo on Tuesday night.
