Avalanche's MacKinnon Avoids Game Misconduct After NHL Review

League rescinds penalty against star forward following incident in recent game.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:06am

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The NHL has reversed a game misconduct penalty issued to Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, according to a person familiar with the decision. The league determined the penalty should not have been assessed against MacKinnon following an incident in a recent Avalanche game.

Why it matters

MacKinnon is one of the NHL's top players, and the reversal of the game misconduct penalty means he will not have to serve a suspension, allowing him to remain in the Avalanche's lineup as they push for a playoff spot.

The details

The game misconduct penalty was initially assessed to MacKinnon during a recent Avalanche game, but after reviewing the incident, the NHL determined the penalty should not have been issued. This allows MacKinnon to avoid a suspension that would have forced him to miss at least one game.

  • The game misconduct penalty was issued to MacKinnon during a recent Avalanche game.

The players

Nathan MacKinnon

A star forward for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL.

Colorado Avalanche

An NHL hockey team based in Denver, Colorado.

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What’s next

MacKinnon will be eligible to play in the Avalanche's next game following the league's decision to rescind the game misconduct penalty.

The takeaway

The NHL's decision to reverse the game misconduct penalty against one of the league's top players demonstrates the league's commitment to ensuring fair and accurate officiating, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the game.