Pro Sports

Power line: MacKinnon-led top group lifts Avs into 2nd round

Posted May 25, 2021 7:00 am

By PAT GRAHAM

Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog, center Nathan MacKinnon and right wing Mikko Rantanen, from left, celebrate a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

DENVER (AP) - Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog considers his role the best in hockey.

That's no line, either. Just a tribute to his linemates.

The trio of Landeskog, speedy center Nathan MacKinnon and sharpshooting right winger Mikko Rantanen combined for nine goals and 15 assists during a four-game sweep of St. Louis in the opening round. It's the third best-of-seven series sweep in franchise history, with the other two times - 1996 and '01 - culminating with hoisting the Stanley Cup trophy.

And while that particular finish line remains a distance off, the bottom line remains this: The Avs are the odds-on favorites to get there in large part due to that top group.

'œBoth (MacKinnon) and Mikko have very high, high skill and are top talents in the league,'ť said Landeskog, whose team will face either Vegas or Minnesota in the next round. 'œNot only that but they work really hard. We're trying to constantly work on our game and study each other and learn from each other. It's definitely fun playing with those two guys.'ť

The chemistry didn't happen overnight. The three were allowed to go through their ups and downs, slumps and streaks without fear of a breakup. That's an assist to Jared Bednar: Landeskog said the Avs coach never wavered, even if he did sometimes separate them in an effort to provide a spark on other lines.

They rewarded that faith this season with 70 goals and 113 assists as Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy with the best record in the NHL to guarantee home-ice advantage throughout their postseason run.

'œIt comes from being patient from a coaching staff's perspective and letting us play together and letting us find that chemistry and work on it, and trusting us to be that top line,'ť Landeskog said. 'œAll three of us want to be a difference maker and want to drive our team, drive the play.'ť

They were certainly a handful for the Blues. MacKinnon led the way with six goals and three assists, while Landeskog added two goals and six assists. Rantanen chipped in six assists along with his lone goal in Game 4, which was a big sigh of relief after coming so close all series.

'œIt's always nice to score,'ť said Rantanen, who led the Avalanche in goals (30) and points (66) during the regular season. 'œThat's what everybody loves after winning.'ť

The 24-year-old Rantanen has been highly dependable in the postseason, logging at least a point in 14 straight playoff games.

'œHe's always been so good and this year he's especially been amazing,'ť teammate Tyson Jost said. 'œHe's a little bit underrated in that sense, where he doesn't get as much credit as he deserves.'ť

That's because he happens to play on the same line as MacKinnon, who has 63 points in 44 career playoff games for a 1.43 points-per-game average. It's the fourth-highest mark in NHL postseason history (minimum 25 games), trailing only Wayne Gretzky (1.84), Mario Lemieux (1.61) and Barry Pederson (1.53).

'œI don't know if I'm at another level or pucks are going in right now,'ť said the 25-year-old MacKinnon, who had a career-high, 15-game point streak this season. 'œI mean, all my goals are with great screens in front. Landy, Mikko are beasts down low.'ť

Landeskog only smiled when asked about being MacKinnon's wingman on the ice.

'œBeing Nate's wingman ... it's definitely one of the best jobs in hockey,'ť cracked Landeskog, who at 28 is in his ninth season as team captain.

Landeskog is the grinder of the group and not afraid to mix it up. He recorded a 'œGordie Howe'ť hat trick in Game 1, with a goal, assist and a fighting major penalty. It was the first one in Avalanche postseason history since Mike Ricci in 1997 against Chicago.

Landeskog dropping the gloves and throwing punches - he was sticking up for Rantanen after a hit - fired up the team.

All part of his job on a top line with his two buddies.

'œIt's been fun to getting to know these two guys over the last few years as players and obviously as people,'ť Landeskog said. 'œHopefully we can continue to get better and better as we go on.'ť

___

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Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring his second goal of night, during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. Colorado won 6-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog (92) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly (90) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, second from right, is congratulated for his hat trick by, from left, defenseman Ryan Graves, right wing Mikko Rantanen and left wing Gabriel Landeskog during the third period of Game 2 of the team's NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. Colorado won 6-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog, left, is congratulated by teammate Nathan MacKinnon (29) after scoring past St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) and Colton Parayko (55) during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates after scoring as St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) skates in the background during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

St. Louis Blues' Marco Scandella (6) and Colorado Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen (96) chase after a loose puck along the boards during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen (96) chases after a loose puck as teammate Nathan MacKinnon (29) watches and St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko, right, defends during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

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