Nathan MacKinnon is putting on a show - and the NHL just handed him a well-deserved spotlight.
After a scorching November, the Colorado Avalanche center has been named the NHL’s First Star of the Month, and frankly, it’s hard to argue with the choice. MacKinnon racked up 11 goals and 15 assists for a staggering 26 points in just 13 games, leading a red-hot Avalanche squad that went 11-0-2 over that stretch. That’s not just elite production - that’s MVP-caliber dominance.
This marks the seventh time in MacKinnon’s career he’s earned the league’s top monthly honor, and the 11th time he’s been recognized as one of the NHL’s Three Stars. He’s joined this month by Jason Robertson of the Stars and Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks’ electric rookie who continues to live up to the hype.
But let’s focus on what MacKinnon just did - because it wasn’t just numbers on a scoresheet, it was a month-long clinic in offensive brilliance. He had seven multi-point games in November, including a stretch of three straight games with at least three points. That kind of consistency, especially with the target he wears as one of the league’s premier talents, is a testament to just how locked in he is right now.
And it’s not just about the points. MacKinnon’s skating, his edge work, his ability to create space and drive play - it’s all peaking. He’s dictating tempo every time he touches the puck, and when he’s in that mode, there are very few players on the planet who can match him shift for shift.
Colorado’s unbeaten run in regulation during November wasn’t a coincidence. It was fueled by their top players stepping up, and no one was bigger than No.
- Whether it was slicing through neutral zones or setting up teammates with pinpoint feeds, MacKinnon was the engine behind the Avalanche’s surge.
Sure, the Stanley Cup is the big picture - and this team looks every bit the contender they were projected to be. But right now, in the heart of the regular season grind, fans should take a moment to appreciate what they’re witnessing. Nathan MacKinnon isn’t just playing well - he’s taking over games and reminding the hockey world that when he’s at his best, he might just be the best.
Night after night, he’s giving us highlight-reel moments, elite-level production, and a masterclass in what it means to be a franchise cornerstone. If November was a preview of what’s to come, buckle up - because MacKinnon’s season is shaping up to be something special.