Wednesday night was the start of several NHL teams’ seasons, and one team that started things with crazy high expectations is the Colorado Avalanche.
The 2022 Stanley Cup winners have championship aspirations pretty much every season, and a big reason for that is because they have a guy on their team by the name of Nathan MacKinnon.
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Nathan MacKinnon No. 29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena on Sept. 30, 2026, in Denver, Colo. (NHLI via Getty Images)
The reigning Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy recipient (and amateur scuba diver) picked up right where he left off last season, slotting a pair of goals home against Western Conference rivals Los Angeles in an 8-4 win over the Kings.
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But it wasn’t just his offensive prowess that had fans in the Ball Arena buzzing, because the man they affectionately call “Nate Dogg” let his fists do the talking as well.
And those fists had a lot to say.
That wasn’t a fight, that was a massacre.
Apparently, Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke said some not-so-nice things to MacKinnon, so the seven-time NHL All-Star had to set him straight.
And this isn’t a case of a 6’5″ mutant like Derian Hatcher picking on some tiny skill player, either.
MacKinnon is giving up two inches to Clarke in the height department. As I mentioned before, Nate Dogg is one of the most prolific scorers in league history, and he’s doing this to a blue-liner.
When the best player on your team can chuck ’em like that, you’re in good shape.
Center Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche fights defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) of the Los Angeles Kings during the Avalanche’s 8-4 season-opening win on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. (Denver Post via Getty Images)
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Wednesday night was a reminder that the “best player in the league” conversation isn’t as one-sided as many NHL fans would have you believe.
Cover your ears, Connor McDavid fanboys, but the gap between McJesus and the Dogg is closer than you’re probably willing to admit.
MacKinnon has the Cup on his resume, and while he’s not quite the scorer McDavid is, there’s more to hockey than just racking up a bunch of points.
In addition to the two goals and two-piece that he fed Clarke, Nate had eight shots, won six faceoffs (highest number on the team), recorded two hits, and was named the first star of the night for his efforts.
The man was everywhere.
Center Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche is introduced before the Avalanche’s season-opening game against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. (Denver Post via Getty Images)
No, I’m not saying MacKinnon is clearly the better player of the two, and if I had to pick one as the greatest of their generation, I’d probably go with McDavid.
I’m just acknowledging the gap is as tight as it’s ever been.
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There’s a reason they call him McJesus, sure, but call me when the hockey messiah scores two goals and drops a defenseman in the same game.