DENVER — Against old rival Detroit on Sunday, Nathan MacKinnon's Hart Trophy candidacy as NHL MVP blossomed with another three-point performance that further attached his name beside some of the greatest Avalanche players of all time.
The center, who entered the game against the Red Wings with 36 goals — the most since Joe Sakic had 36 in the 2006-07 season — scored twice to become the Avs' most prolific goal scorer since Milan Hejduk won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy with 50 in 2002-03.
MacKinnon's 38th on the season at 7:09 of the third period gave Colorado a three-goal lead en route to a 5-1 triumph over the Red Wings in front of a sellout crowd at the Pepsi Center.