MacKinnon Wows with OT Goal: Edging Out Oilers Star as Best in the World?

Nathan MacKinnon is a man on a mission right now, and it’s gotten to a point where teams around the NHL have no chance of stopping him; they can only hope to contain him. Saturday afternoon was more of the same for the Colorado Avalanche superstar, who took over their matinee matchup in New York against the Rangers. 

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First, there was this wicked display of hand-eye coordination, batting a rebound past Igor Shesterkin to give his team the lead with less than five minutes to play.

The Rangers spoiled that potential game-winning goal to force overtime, but MacKinnon wasn’t going to be denied, toe-dragging around two defenders before roofing a backhand by the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner to reclaim his GWG in the extra frame.

It was yet another spectacular performance from the 30-year-old, who extended his league lead in both goals and points, now up to a whopping 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in just 24 games on the campaign. 

Not only is MacKinnon clipping at a ridiculous two points per game, but he’s also doing so on an Avalanche team that’s mowed down their competition, having lost twice in regulation all year. Because of that, conversations are getting louder about his status as the best player in the game, which Connor McDavid has had a stranglehold on for years.

Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid?

Is there a more difficult question than this? Picking between the two clear-cut best players in hockey is almost impossible, but it’s become more of a debate than ever before.

MacKinnon has widely been considered the second-best player in the world behind McDavid, and that was understandable. The Oilers captain racked up 100+ points in eight of nine seasons, putting up the kind of numbers you’d see in a video game, while generating highlight-reel moments every few weeks.

However, MacKinnon’s numbers haven’t been too shabby either, including a recent edge in goal scoring, leading some to believe he had reached 97 even before this season. Now factor in the utter dominance he’s displayed to begin 2025-26, and a lot of people’s opinions have started to sway in favor of MacKinnon, which you really can’t argue against.

When both are at the very top of their respective games, it’s hard not to lean toward McDavid still. Still, nobody is even close to matching what MacKinnon is doing right now, so in the present moment, he’s on top of the hockey world until McDavid or someone else meets him at that level.

That said, McDavid just erupted for a hat trick and four points (three goals, one assist) against the Kraken, so perhaps he’s hearing the talk of MacKinnon surpassing him, which could spark a major heater to reclaim his crown.

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