Video Hockey legend Mike Modano says US hockey players should ‘soak up every minute’ of Olympic victory 1999 Stanley Cup champion Mike Modano says gold medal win was ‘a long time coming’ on ‘The Will Cain Show.’
And no one knows that better than Colorado Avalanche superstar (and amateur scuba enthusiast) Nathan MacKinnon.
Less than three months ago, MacKinnon had a golden opportunity (literally) presented to him in Canada's gold-medal game against the United States against the United States.
Sitting just to the left of the net with American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck still hugging the opposite post, MacKinnon sailed a wrist shot just wide of the pipes.
TEAM USA MEN'S HOCKEY WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OVERTIME AGAINST CANADA AT WINTER OLYMPICS
Nathan MacKinnon and Connor Hellebuyck compete during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics figure ice hockey final match between Canada and the United States at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026. (Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto)
The Americans would rally in overtime, with defenseman Jack Hughes slotting home the golden goal and sending MacKinnon and the Canadians home with a consolation prize of silver and a stuffed animal for their troubles.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, with time winding down in the Avalanche's Game 5 tilt with the Minnesota Wild, and Colorado needing a goal to tie it. MacKinnon was presented with the exact same opportunity from a similar spot on the ice.
For context, look at how identical both scoring opportunities look. You could even make the argument this one was more difficult given Minnesota netminder Jesper Wallstedt's perfect positioning.
The goal from MacKinnon would send the game to overtime, where the Avs would wear down the depleted Wild roster en route to a win and a gentlemen's sweep.
It's on to the Western Conference Finals for the Avalanche, where they will await the winners of the Anaheim Ducks-Vegas Golden Knights series.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Colorado's Joshn Manson battles Minnesota's Yakov Trenin in Game 4 of the two teams' series in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Matt Krohn-Imagn Images)
Colorado should absolutely be seen as the favorites to not only come out of the West, but to win the whole thing, given their mix of Cup experience and firepower.
When you couple that with the fact that MacKinnon looks like he's on a warpath to win another Stanley Cup and atone for his miss in the Olympics, the Avs feel like a team of destiny.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
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 might be the series of the entire playoffs, given 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 slowing down Nathan "Nate Dogg" MacKinnon.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
