Hockey, like football, is a game of inches.
And no one knows this better than Colorado Avalanche superstar (and diving enthusiast) Nathan MacKinnon.
Less than three months ago, MacKinnon was presented (literally) with a golden opportunity in Canada's gold medal game against the United States.
Sitting just to the left of the net with U.S. goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck still hugging the far post, MacKinnon unleashed a wrist shot that went just wide of the pipes.
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Nathan MacKinnon and Connor Hellebuyck compete during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games ice hockey final match between Canada and the United States at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Stadium in Milan on February 22, 2026. (Photo Olimpik/NurPhoto)
The Americans would rally in overtime, when defenseman Jack Hughes scored the golden goal and sent MacKinnon and the Canadians home with a silver consolation prize and a stuffed animal for their troubles.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, when time was running out in the Avalanche's Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild, and Colorado needed a goal to tie it. MacKinnon had the exact same opportunity from a similar spot on the ice.
And you better believe he didn't fail twice.
For context, notice how identical both scoring opportunities appear. You could even argue that this one was more difficult given the perfect positioning of Minnesota goalie Jesper Wallstedt.
MacKinnon's goal would send the game to overtime, where the Avs would wear down the depleted Wild roster en route to a victory and a gentleman's sweep.
The Avalanche move on to the Western Conference Finals, where they will await the winners of the Anaheim Ducks-Vegas Golden Knights series.
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Colorado's Joshn Manson battles Minnesota's Yakov Trenin in Game 4 of the two-team series in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Images by Matt Krohn-Imagn)
Colorado should absolutely be viewed as the favorite to not only get out of the West, but to win it all, given their combination of Cup experience and firepower.
When you combine that with the fact that MacKinnon appears to be on the warpath to win another Stanley Cup and atone for his Olympic failure, the Avs feel like a team of destiny.
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Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog scores a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of an NHL game in Denver on Nov. 11, 2025. (David Zalubowski/AP)
If it's the Golden Knights who end up prevailing and facing Colorado in the Conference Finals, that could be the series of the entire playoffs, as Vegas has its own share of superstar talent and Stanley Cup history.
Either way, good luck to any team that has the unenviable task of stopping Nathan “Nate Dogg” MacKinnon.
