A milestone game for Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, the Canadiens defeat the Blackhawks, the Sharks are entering the next phase of competitiveness, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and three assists to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Martin Necas had a goal and two assists as the Avalanche improved to 6-4-1. Jake Guentzel tallied twice for the 7-3-0 Lightning.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon is the fourth-fastest active NHL player to reach 1,300 total points (regular season and playoffs combined), doing so in 1,069 games. Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid is the fastest active player to reach that milestone (869 total games), followed by Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (1,023), and Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (1,035).

Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans tallied two goals and collected an assist to lead his club over the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle had a goal and an assist, and goaltender Jacob Fowler stopped 20 shots for the 5-3-2 Canadiens. Connor Bedard scored for the Blackhawks as they dropped to 3-7-0.

RATINGS: Marco D’Amico interviewed San Jose Sharks assistant general manager Jeff Kealty, who believes his rebuilding club is entering its “competitive phase”.

Kealty joined the Sharks in his current role after spending 25 years with the Nashville Predators in various front-office roles. His focus with his new club is pro scouting and development.

“We’re going to be entering our competitive phase here with the team,” Kealty said. “That pro personnel aspect is going to be really crucial to see what additions we can make and really try to push this thing along in the next few years of the competitive window.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks made several notable pro additions this summer before Kealty’s hiring on July 17, signing Mason Marchment and Jacob Trouba, and trading for Darnell Nurse and Michael Kesselring. It’s Kealty’s job to help them add more veteran talent as needed to move this club from rebuilding to contending for the playoffs. They’re currently holding a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

SPORTSNET: Justin Bourne examines why NHL save percentages have declined in recent years.

Improved shooting by skaters, the value of puck possession, more screened shots, and the predictability of goalies are among the factors cited by Bourne.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bourne noted the introduction of one-piece sticks has led to harder, more accurate shots. Skaters also figured out the butterfly style of goaltending, shooting higher on netminders.

Creative shot attempts have been a factor. Players today are more willing to try shots from difficult angles, leading to goals that were rarely seen in the past.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals defenseman Vincent Desharnais will be sidelined four to six weeks following an appendectomy.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve.

ROTOWIRE: The Anaheim Ducks placed defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body) on IR.