Nathan MacKinnon sounds off on his scoring slump!

26 year old sniper Nathan MacKinnon is one of the most important players on the Colorado Avalanche, who are in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001. 

The only problem is that MacKinnon has yet to find the scoresheet in the series, which his team leads by a 2-1 margin. Things were going well for the Avs, outscoring the Tampa Bay Lightning in both games at Ball Arena in Denver by an 11-3 margin. However, the Lightning bounced back in a huge way last night as the series shifted back to Amalie Arena with a 6-2 triumph to claw their way back into the Final. 

For MacKinnon, he knows that he's relied upon for offensive production, but that isn't the only part of his game that is valuable to his team. 

"Obviously, I want to score goals, but I have to do my job out there, play really good defense, create for my linemates, forecheck, every little thing, and stay aggressive and shoot the puck," MacKinnon told reporters after the Avalanche's 6-2 loss Monday. "I feel like they'll go in. I just have to trust myself, that's all I can really do at this point. No time for doubt."

With 20 points in 17 games so far this postseason, MacKinnon has shown that he's not unable to contribute offense. And according to teammate Mikko Rantanen, who experienced a slump of his own earlier in the postseason, there's nothing to worry about. 

"I think he's a good enough player, he knows what to do," Rantanen said. "He's playing well, he's creating chances for other guys, and he's had some chances, too, in all the three games.

"I think we've all been there. ... Everybody's gotta stay with it, you can't be frustrated at this time of year."

The Avalanche and Lightning will get back at it tomorrow night starting at 8:00 PM EST.