October 13th 2024.
The city of Denver, often referred to as the Mile High City, is known for its passion for sports and its MVP-worthy athletes. One such athlete is Nikola Jokic, star player for the Denver Nuggets, who recently made an appearance at Ball Arena for the Colorado Avalanche's home opener. The purpose of his visit was to honor Nathan MacKinnon, who had been awarded both the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award, two prestigious accolades given to the most valuable player in the NHL.
As Jokic stepped onto the ice at Ball Arena, he proudly held the Hart Trophy, all while sporting a MacKinnon jersey. It was a moment of celebration for MacKinnon, who had an exceptional season and set multiple franchise records for the Avalanche. Not only did he amass an impressive 140 points, but he also had a streak of 35 consecutive home games with at least one point. To top it off, he achieved career highs in both goals (51) and shots on goal (405), leading the entire NHL in the latter category. And let's not forget about his home point streak, which was the second longest in the league's history, only behind the legendary Wayne Gretzky's 40-game streak with the Edmonton Oilers.
But MacKinnon wasn't the only MVP in the building that night. Jokic, a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had won back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022, and added a third to his collection this past season. And with both of these athletes hailing from Denver, the city had the unique and exciting distinction of having the NHL and NBA MVPs in the same season. The last time this happened was in 1989, when Gretzky and Magic Johnson took home the honors for the Los Angeles Kings and Lakers, respectively.
MacKinnon's achievement also made him the third player in Avalanche history to win the Hart Trophy, joining the ranks of Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. Sakic, who also won the Ted Lindsay Award in 2001, is undoubtedly a source of inspiration for MacKinnon as he continues to make his mark in the NHL.
As the Avalanche gear up for the new season, there are high expectations and hopes for the team. However, they faced some early setbacks, including an injury to Jonathan Drouin and a tough loss in their opening game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights. But with players like MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, who had a hat trick in the game, it's clear that the Avalanche have a strong chance at competing for the Stanley Cup. In fact, oddsmakers have given them favorable odds to win the championship this season.
For more news and analysis on the Avalanche, fans can sign up for the Avalanche Insider. With a star-studded lineup and a passionate fan base, it's sure to be an exciting season for the Mile High City and its beloved MVP athletes.
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