On Wednesday night, Nathan MacKinnon presented more evidence that he’s the best player in the world, and made Avs history in the process.
MacKinnon’s natural hat trick, coupled with Cale Makar becoming the Avs’ highest-scoring defenseman all-time, propelled them past the tired and lackluster Capitals 6-2 and gave streaking Colorado its 10th win in the last 13 games.
No. 29’s feat was the franchise’s second natural hat trick — three consecutive goals by the same player — and first by an Avalanche player since Joe Sakic pulled it off on March 13, 2003, at Columbus.
Oh, and MacKinnon tacked on a garbage-time lamp-lighter in the waning minutes of the final period, tying his Avs single-game record from earlier this season with a fourth goal.