Ali vs. Frazer, Federer vs. Nadal, Messi vs. Ronaldo, Magic vs. Bird, and now, MacKinnon vs. McDavid. Nothing is more exciting in the narrative of sports than when the two best competitors in their arena compete head-to-head. It is what makes movies. MacKinnon and McDavid have been skating in tandem for years, and now both in their mid-twenties are at the height of their craft in skill, speed, and poise. They think fast and skate faster. If you’re not a hockey fan, the match-up vs. MacKinnon and McDavid will convert you. Nate the Great vs. McJesus.
Connor McDavid was drafted first overall by the Oilers in 2015 and has been wreaking havoc ever since. The Ontario native’s rookie year was cut short due to a broken clavicle but rebounded quickly by recording 100 points in his second season. Since then, the only year where McDavid didn’t rack up 100+ points was in the shorted 2019-20 season, where he still had 97 points in 64 games. In the following 2020-21 shortened 56-game season, he had 105 points. Most players don’t come close to 100 points in 82 games. At 19 and 266 days, he was named captain of his team, making him the youngest captain in NHL history. The second youngest is Gabe Landeskog at 19 and 286 days.
He is the youngest player to win the Art Ross Trophy awarded to the NHL leading scorer, an honor he has received four times, including this year. He has been the recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player twice and the Ted Lindsay Award for the most outstanding player in the regular season three times. At 25, McDavid is the current LeBron James of the NHL, minus the championships.
Nathan MacKinnon entered the NHL in 2013 as the first overall draft by the Avs and received the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. The Halifax, Novia Scotian has been terrorizing opponents ever since. On paper, MacKinnon doesn’t boast the credentials that McDavid has. Natty Mac has yet to have a 100-point season; he had 99 in 2018-2019 and has not been a Hart or Ted Lindsay recipient. MacKinnon can’t turn water into wine, but at 26, he is at the top of his game and undoubtedly one of the best players in the NHL. All you need as proof is his coast-to-coast goal in Game 5. It has taken years for the team to develop to his level of play.
The Hockey Gods have kissed Connor McDavid. While MacKinnon has also been blessed with god-like skill and speed, it is something that he has fought to cultivate. Since 15, MacKinnon has been working with trainer Andy O’Brien, who trains Sidney Crosby. However, after the success of MacKinnon’s rookie year, it would take three years for him to break his rookie season point tally of 63. Until 2017-2018, MacKinnon, despite his talent, was a 50-point player. Along with his disciplined training, MacKinnon also adopted a new diet to improve his play.
In a 2021 interview, former Av Nikita Zadorov delved into the regime of his teammate. He imposed his strict diet on teammates, removing sugar from the locker room and telling his teammates, “If you want to eat that crap, you have the offseason for that.” Zadorov credits MacKinnon with making professionals out of the players by demonstrating his commitment to the team. He arrives to practice 30 minutes early and shows the younger players that even as one of the bests in the league, he still works to be better. “Nate is like MJ (Jordan, not Jackson), I don’t want to make a direct comparison, but his way of thinking is very similar to MJ.” Being the best is one thing, but being a champion is another. MacKinnon has worked to create that mindset, and it is paying off.
That's where the advantage lies for the Avs. The Oilers have two top performers, McDavid with 123 points and Draisaitl with 110 points in the regular season, and are tied for most post-season points at 26. After Draisaitls’ 110 points, Oilers’ Zach Hyman has 54 points. That's a 56-point differential. The Avs might not have the lethal firepower of McDavid and Drisaitl, but they have depth and scoring capabilities across the lines. In Game 6 for the Avs, all three goals came from the fourth line.
With both teams averaging more than four goals per game in the playoffs, this series will be filled with highlight-reel material from both sides. McDavid is the best in the league, but you have to beat the best to be the best. As MacKinnon once said, “Players aren’t remembered for what they do in the regular season; they are remembered for what they do in the playoffs.”
It is MacKinnon’s time to be remembered as the player that defeated McDavid. Nate is great, but our team is greater.
Avs in 7.
MacKinnon making it rain (hats) in insane Game 5 goal.