For 28 years, Joe Sakic has stood atop the leaderboard for the Colorado Avalanche with his 120 point campaign back during the franchise’s inaugural season in Denver.
Was anyone ever going to pass him?
On Sunday afternoon, Nathan MacKinnon answered that question, and brought on a new one – can he catch Peter Stastny?
With three points against the Pittsburgh Penguins, including the game-tying goal late, MacKinnon hit 122 points in his 71st game of the season. Joe Sakic’s previous Avalanche season record was 120, a record that now belongs to Colorado’s current superstar. MacKinnon doesn’t think he’s the player that Sakic was, but he’s now the player that future Avalanche scorers will be trying to top.
“I don’t think I’m as good as Joe ever was,” MacKinnon said after Sunday’s win. “It’s a good number, I guess. It’s a good stat to have, but a lot of guys are having special seasons.”
It’s definitely a good number, but barring a disaster, MacKinnon will not finish the season with just 122 points. If he keeps going at the same pace he’s scored at all year long, he’ll finish with 140 points.
He’s got the Avalanche record. Is the franchise record next?
Peter Stastny currently holds the franchise record with his 139 point season back in 1981-82, a record that has (obviously) stood for over 40 years. If MacKinnon can stay healthy the rest of the season, he has a very real chance of breaking it. It’s not just the fact that he’s been scoring at a crazy rate all season, but it’s the fact that he’s been out of this world at home.
And seven of the final 11 games for Colorado will be at home, where MacKinnon is averaging an absurd 2.23 points-per-game.
Health will obviously play a role in this, but positioning in the standings could as well. If Colorado has anything locked down at the end of the season, would a guy like MacKinnon get a night off? If the record is truly in reach, I don’t think that would happen, but you never know.
Either way, what a season for the 28 year old through just 71 games. And I have a feeling he’s got a lot more in store over the next few months.