Mile High Sticking
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Colorado Avalanche: Stop sleeping on our top line

By Adrienne Tyler

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 2: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) congratulates Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) on his goal in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Pepsi Center. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 2: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) congratulates Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) on his goal in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 2, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Pepsi Center. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche top line continues to lead the NHL in points so far, so why are people still refusing to take a look?

The Colorado Avalanche are almost two months deep into the 2018-2019 season and there are still a couple of surprises popping up. From the injury bug that hit a big part of the league a few weeks ago to teams like the Buffalo Sabres among the top three league leaders at the time of writing, this season is going to be quite interesting and fun. One of the biggest (and best) surprises is the Colorado Avalanche and their top line.

People continue to sleep on the Avs in general but mostly the top line: Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen. Maybe people are still recovering from that 2016-2017 season and the incredible comeback last season (completely understandable), but the Avalanche are making noise and it’s time they get the attention and recognition they deserve.

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If the current position of the Colorado Avalanche as #2 in the Western Conference (yes, you read that right!) is not enough reason for you to watch them, I have some sexy numbers that might change your mind.

First off, our captain Gabriel Landeskog, with a total of 28 points so far (15 goals, 13 assists) and a hat trick this season (3rd in his career). Although he has gone through some games without a point, the captain has been pretty consistent so far. Also, if you’re into fantasy hockey, you should definitely consider having him on your team.

Then we have Nathan MacKinnon. Our boy Nate finished last season fifth in the league with 97 points and was a finalist for the Hart Trophy (in my heart, he won), and so far it looks like he could easily compete for the Trophy again. In 25 games this season Nate has 41 points (18 goals and 23 assists). Expect another hat trick this season, I’m calling it.

And then there’s the player that currently leads the league in points: Mikko Rantanen. With 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists), Mikko is one point above his line-mate Nathan MacKinnon and above players like Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, and – wait for it – Sidney Crosby. Mikko’s game began to blossom last season and it’s showing its potential this season so far.

I can assure you we haven’t seen Mikko’s full potential yet. Just you wait.

Sure, there are some top lines in the league that get all the attention and with good reason, such as Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak (Boston), Benn-Seguin-Radulov (Dallas), and most recently Tavares-Hyman-Marner (Toronto), but the MGM line (“Scandinavian Sandwich” is better but whatever) keep proving that they can easily take on any of these.

Remember that recent win against the Dallas Stars? How about the way they dominated the Boston Bruins? Seriously, stop sleeping on the Colorado Avalanche.

Next. Colorado Avalanche face a tough division rival in St. Louis Blues. dark

The Colorado Avalanche were on a six-game winning streak that unfortunately ended against the St. Louis Blues. As they move forward, keep an eye on that top line!

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