Salvas: Nate is Great... and the MVP

MacKinnon's hat trick was his finest performance of 2023-24.

Sure, he has scored four goals twice this season. And yes, in both of those efforts, he had five points. But Tuesday night was THE Nathan MacKinnon game of the season. It was his stamp of excellence on a season-long run of sustained excellence.

It was his statement that — regardless of the Art Ross chase — he is the MVP. The Hart Memorial Trophy should be coming to Denver for the first time in two decades in two months. 

Following a pair of lackluster efforts, something woke the once mighty Avalanche. After Edmonton and Dallas both dominated Colorado to the tune of an aggregate score of 13-6, the poor Minnesota Wild strolled into Ball Arena with their playoff hopes on the last beep of life support. And who was there to pull the plug?

The Great Nate.

It’s fitting that Brandon Duhaime’s car was covered in soil and flowers by Minnesota pranksters, because leaving the Ball Arena parking lot it was the Wild’s season that was pushing up daisies.