A hockey milestone was recently reached that has fans buzzing! Colorado Avalanche's star forward, Nathan MacKinnon, has just scored his 400th career goal. This incredible feat happened on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena, marking a significant moment in his already impressive career.
MacKinnon, at 30 years old, achieved this milestone early in the first period, at just 3:13, demonstrating his quick reflexes and scoring prowess. He expertly tapped in a pass from Josh Manson, showcasing his ability to be in the right place at the right time. But the excitement didn't stop there! Just over a minute later, at 4:39, MacKinnon followed up with his 401st goal, a testament to his relentless drive and skill.
He's now one of the 14 active players to reach this impressive number and only the 114th in NHL history.
This season, MacKinnon is leading the league with an astonishing 34 goals in just 39 games. To put this in perspective, he scored 32 goals in 79 games last season. And let's not forget his career-high of 51 goals during the 2023-24 season.
But here's where it gets controversial... MacKinnon has consistently been a top scorer, with at least 30 goals in 8 of the past 9 seasons. The only exception was the shortened 2020-21 season, where he still managed 20 goals in 48 games.
Drafted by Colorado as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, MacKinnon's impact has been undeniable. This season alone, he's accumulated 68 points in those 39 games. Over his 13 seasons, he has racked up an impressive 1,083 points (with 682 assists) in 909 games. He currently ranks third in goals and second in both assists and points in the history of the Colorado/Quebec Nordiques franchise.
His accolades include the Calder Trophy (NHL rookie of the year) in 2013-14 and both the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) and the Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) in 2023-24, a season where he hit a career-high of 140 points. He also celebrated a Stanley Cup victory with the Avalanche in 2022.
What do you think of MacKinnon's incredible achievements? Do you think he'll continue to climb the ranks and break even more records? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
