Takeaways From Avs Blowout Over Caps, And About Those Zach Parise Rumors
He's 39, but had 21 goals last season
Another sublime performance from Nathan MacKinnon last night. A hat trick before the game was even half over, four goals overall. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin is starting to finally look old.
Those are two of my main takeaways from last night. One more game before the All-Star break, tomorrow against the suddenly reeling, finger-pointing L.A. Kings at home.
There’s no debate right now; Nathan MacKinnon is your leader in the clubhouse for his first Hart Trophy. He’s back in the NHL scoring lead, with 82 points. He skated rings around any poor Caps player trying to defend him. He’s had TWO four-goal games in the past week.
He’s the first player since Alex Ovechkin in 2007-08 to record multiple four-goal games in a season and joined Michel Goulet (1985-86) as the second player in franchise history with multiple four-goal outings in a single season.
Meahwhile, Ovechkin is stuck at eight goals through 43 games. Maybe his breaking of the Great One’s goal record isn’t such a sure thing, though I’m sure he’ll play ‘til his feet fall off trying to do it.
Other notes and observations, including about those Zach Parise-to-Avs rumors:
