Mackinnon reaches 50-goal mark
The fans in Denver broke out the 'MVP' chants after another superhuman performance by Nathan Mackinnon on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Colorado Avalanche star put his nextlevel speed on full display in a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, blowing by helpless defenders like they were beerleaguers to score a hat trick on his way to his first-ever 50-goal season.
"I'm not surprised he got 50 but we've grown accustomed to seeing some really special performances at different times during the year from him," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said in a media session.
"But that was pretty much as dominant a performance as you could have in my books.
And I've seen him be fast out of those holes before in the D-zone and explode through the neutral zone, but tonight it was like a whole new level. ... I just thought it was just a stellar performance, a special performance."
Mackinnon's three goals and one assist pushed his season points total to 137 in 79 games.
His previous career high was 111, set last year. For some extra context, fellow Cole Harbour hero Sidney Crosby's personal best is 120 points.
Mackinnon is only two points behind Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the league scoring lead and seven ahead of Edmonton Oilers centre Connor Mcdavid. Those three are widely viewed as the MVP front-runners but Mackinnon's latest tour de force might leave a lasting impression with the end of the NHL schedule coming next Thursday.
"I never thought in my life I'd score 50," Mackinnon said in a media session. "It feels good, obviously. A lot of amazing plays from everybody all season, a lot of empty nets, a lot of hard work from the whole lineup. I think it's a team achievement, honestly. It's a team sport. Obviously, it's tough to get there. You can't do it alone."
Setting up Mackinnon was his old running mate, Jonathan Drouin. The way the two former Halifax Mooseheads were feeding off each other had them reminiscing about what it was like in the old days when they were torching the QMJHL.
"We were laughing, actually, after his first goal - I thought we were playing in Halifax (again), to be honest," Drouin told reporters. "I've seen those breakout goals where he just blows by the D and the D does't even stand a chance. He had his legs tonight, for sure, and he made it count."
Mackinnon also soaked up having his close friend in on the historic play, calling it a ‘cool’ moment.
“I’m sure it’s something I’ll look back on,” Mackinnon said in a media session. “It was an awesome drop pass, too. A pretty play by him. He’s been so amazing all season.”
Drouin had three assists in the game to set a new personal high for points in a single season. He now has 56 points in 76 games in what is easily one of the best comeback stories in the NHL this year.
Prior to signing with the Avalanche in the off-season, the 29-year-old winger’s highest total from his previous four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens was 29 points last year. “Like I’ve said before, it was a tough couple of years in Montreal so it’s nice to feel good about my game,” Drouin said. “And to get a career high in points, that’s not stuff I really look at it, but I’m just really proud of how I’m playing and how the team’s playing.”