DENVER — The Avalanche have plenty to look forward to in 2023, but before 2022 was history, history repeated itself.
On Dec. 1, 2021, Nathan MacKinnon returned from an injury, playing for the first time in 25 days. It was a ray of light that turned out to be unceremonious for the Avalanche — they lost 8-3 to Toronto.
On the final day of 2022, MacKinnon returned from another injury, playing for the first time in 26 days. Colorado hockey fans greeted him with enthusiasm and renewed hope, but Toronto spoiled the party again with another blowout — 6-2 this time to send the Avalanche (19-13-3) into 2023 on a three-game losing streak.