2022 Stanley Cup Final - How Nathan MacKinnon can pull out of a scoring drought

TAMPA, Fla. — It took Nathan MacKinnon years to reach this place. And we're not just talking about the Stanley Cup Final.

The Colorado Avalanche superstar is mired in a mini scoring drought, with zero goals and two assists through three Cup Final games against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was held off the scoresheet entirely in Colorado's 6-2 drubbing by the Lightning in Game 3.

The old MacKinnon would have cursed his lack of production, dangerously overcompensated and wound up hurting his team more. This MacKinnon has grown enough to recognize he can't do it all and still purposefully strive to provide more offensive punch in Game 4 on Wednesday.

«Obviously I want to score goals, but I have to do my job out there,» MacKinnon said after Monday's defeat. "[I have to] play really good defense, create for my linemates, forecheck, every little thing. Stay aggressive and shoot the puck. I feel like they will go in; I just have to trust myself. That's all I can really do at this point. No time for doubt… have to find a few more lanes, but other than that, just stick with it."

Colorado is counting on MacKinnon to find his way. And why wouldn't it? MacKinnon has been no slouch in these playoffs, posting 11 goals and 20 points in 17 games with a plus-11 rating in nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game. He's done it all without trying to carry Colorado on his own, a mindset shift coach Jared Bednar has repeatedly praised.

«He has a better understanding… that other guys play an important role in our team's success,» Bednar said after Game 1. «It doesn't have to always come back on him. It doesn't mean he doesn't put a lot of weight on his own shoulders. He does. He knows he has to drive the bus, but he's willing to help in other