The Colorado Avalanche have recently clinched their seventh consecutive playoff berth, cementing their position as one of the NHL's strongest teams. As the postseason approaches, hockey fans and analysts are eagerly debating the winner of the league's most prestigious individual award, the Hart Trophy, which is given to the Most Valuable Player of the regular season.
The race for the Hart Trophy is currently a hot topic, with two top-tier players, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikola Jokic, vying for the coveted title. Both athletes have been instrumental in their teams' success, and their outstanding performances have caught the attention of the hockey world.
With the season winding down, the debate is only getting more intense as fans and experts try to weigh the players' stats, impact on their teams, and overall contributions to the league.
MacKinnon's Performance Fuels Debate
MacKinnon's impressive performance against his former team, the Nashville Predators, fueled the MVP conversation. He notched two goals and four assists in Colorado's convincing 7-4 victory. While DraftKings.com currently favours Jokic (-700) to win the award, MacKinnon's strong showing has him emerging as a serious contender (-300).
This year's MVP race is a three-horse race due to Joel Embiid's injury absence. Luka Doncic, averaging a triple-double in March, started too late in the season to make a significant impact. MacKinnon's well-rounded game, including defensive contributions and leadership, sets him apart from Jokic, who is known for his offensive prowess.
In the National Hockey League (NHL), the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has typically been awarded to the player who also leads the league in scoring. As of now, Nathan MacKinnon is leading the pack with an impressive 127 points, with Nikita Kucherov (126 points) and Connor McDavid (125 points) following closely behind.
However, despite their success, neither Kucherov's team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, nor McDavid's team, the Edmonton Oilers, have secured playoff spots in the upcoming postseason.
Adrian Dater, a writer who covers the Colorado Avalanche, argues that MacKinnon's exceptional performance this season on a top-tier team makes him a deserving candidate for the MVP award.
MacKinnon himself is confident that he is a strong contender for the award, having finished as the runner-up in both 2018 and 2020 and placing third in the 2021 MVP race. With his outstanding contributions to the Avalanche's success this season, MacKinnon believes that it is finally his time to win the league's top honour.
Jokic Remains a Strong Contender
During March, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic experienced a slight dip in assists due to teammate Jamal Murray's absence. Despite this setback, Jokic's overall performance remained quite impressive. The centre averaged 27.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, even in what could be considered an "off" month for him. As the regular season draws to a close, the final statistics could play a crucial role in deciding the winner of this closely contested race.
A Potential Playoff Rematch and a Tight MVP Race
MacKinnon's two goals and two assists in the playoff-clinching game against Nashville further solidified his impact on the Avalanche. The physical matchup between the Avalanche and Predators hinted at a potential rematch in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Nashville won both previous meetings this season but was outscored by a significant margin. Colorado has shown significant improvement since their last loss to the Predators, with MacKinnon's dominance playing a key role.
As the season concludes, the MVP race heats up. Both Jokic and MacKinnon have presented compelling cases for the Hart Trophy. The debate will rage on until the NHL Awards on June 21st. Regardless of the winner, both players have had exceptional seasons, leading their teams to success. Fans and experts eagerly await the announcement, with the race shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent NHL history.