David Pastrnak cued up a final-minute comeback and then scored the shootout winner to give Team McDavid a 4-3 victory over Team MacKinnon in the first match of the NHL All-Star three-on-three games Saturday in Toronto.
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid also scored for the team he captains and is named in his honor, as well as during the shootout. Boone Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets added the other goal for McDavid’s squad, while goalie Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers was perfect in the shootout.
McDavid’s team will face the winner of the clash between Team Hughes and Team Matthews in the final later in the day, with the winning side splitting a $1 million prize that will be given to a charity of the team’s choice.
Colorado Avalanche standout Nathan MacKinnon scored for his team — with both goals assisted by his Colorado teammate Cale Makar and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby — and Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Seattle Kraken also lit the lamp
After MacKinnon and Jenner traded first-half goals, Bjorkstrand and MacKinnon tallied 54 seconds apart past the midway point of the second half to earn a 3-1 lead that was poised to hold up.
However, Pastrnak beat his Boston teammate Jeremy Swayman for a goal with 32 seconds remaining in regulation and then McDavid tallied with 5.4 seconds left on the clock. The duo assisted each other’s marker, while Leon Draisaitl netted a pair of helpers.
This came after Swayman had denied several breakaway chances, among them against Rasmus Dahlin, Jenner, Sam Reinhart and Pastrnak among his nine saves in the second half.
Bobrovsky stopped eight of 10 shots he faced in his half of action, plus both chances he faced in the shootout.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (McDavid) made 10 saves in the first half, while Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev (MacKinnon) stopped nine shots.
–Field Level Media
