Breaking down Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon’s sizzling start for the Colorado Avalanche

It is one thing to see the complimentary possibilities of this duo on paper. It is quite another to witness those possibilities come to life right before one’s eyes on the ice. The level at which this duo is operating exceeds mere chemistry and is entering the realm of mind melding. Through four games, they were on the ice together for nine goals for and zero goals against. Of those nine goals, five were scored at 5v5, three on the power play, and one at 4v4. Seven of those goals were scored directly by MacKinnon or Necas. No matter the situation, that duo is humming along. Let’s look under the hood at four of the goals these two have connected on so far this season.

First goal of the season against the Los Angeles Kings

This goal got the Avs on the board and led them to a dominant opening night win. Nathan MacKinnon enters the zone along the right side with speed. That speed and the inability to keep up with him keeps the Kings’ defenders’ eyes glued on him. The entire time, Martin Necas is keeping pace along the left side of the zone. As MacKinnon circles around the back of the net, the gravitational pull of his presence allows Necas to drift quietly over to the right face off circle where he receives the pass from MacKinnon and rips it past Darcy Kuemper.

Game-winning power play goal against the Utah Mammoth

Necas and MacKinnon team up with fellow superstar Cale Makar to make this goal happen. It all starts with Makar and Necas teaming up for the zone entry, where Makar pushes for the initial entry. He then drops it back to Necas, who continues the forward push into the zone before returning the puck to Makar. By this point, Makar has slid below the goal line to receive the puck. While all the attention is on 8 & 88, MacKinnon is sneaking into the zone behind the play and finds himself wide open in the left faceoff circle. Makar has no problem finding him and MacKinnon zips a shot past Karel Velmejlka to put the Avs up for good in the game. This entire sequence took place in the span of only six seconds.

Game-tying power play goal against the Dallas Stars

While the Colorado Avalanche would go on to lose this game in a shootout, the reason that they were able to get a point out of it was because of Nathan MacKinnon’s power play goal. Unlike the previous two highlighted goals, this one came off the cycle. Eventually, the puck made its way to Brent Burns who ripped a shot on net. During that sequence, Necas drives to the center of the ice and grabs the rebound in the slot. Instead of firing into the mass of bodies in front of the net, he slides the puck over to a wide-open Nathan MacKinnon who wires the puck home before Jake Oettinger could get over to make the save.

Disallowed goal against the Sabres

Nathan MacKinnon scored two highlight-reel goals that counted against the Sabres. Both were a result of Necas pulling defenders toward him and then dropping the puck to MacKinnon with enough space in which to work his magic. But the most impressive goal was the one that did not count due to Necas putting himself offsides on the zone entry.

During the sequence, both Necas and MacKinnon battle along the boards for control of the puck. As it gets deeper into the zone, MacKinnon pursues it and outmuscles Tage Thompson for control. While this is happening, Necas sags back a touch and then darts into the middle of the ice. MacKinnon tosses the puck into traffic and Necas finds it in the slot and fires it past Alex Lyon while falling to his knees. As pretty as the transition goals are, it is great to see them be able to win and connect through the more physical battles of the game as well.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

While it is their similarities that allow Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas to play and process the game together at high speed, it is the subtle differences between them that make them so dynamic and dangerous together. Necas is more elusive in his play, darting in and out of space. If the defenders focus on him, then he dishes it off to teammates. If their focus is elsewhere, he sneaks into and exploits the soft spots of their coverage.

On the other hand, MacKinnon is pure power as he hits and overpowers defenses like a battering ram. The space Necas creates for him gives MacKinnon that extra surge to score and his magnetic presence blinds others to Necas’ presence on the back door. It is allowing each other to play the game at a level that neither has had the luxury of playing at before.

Fans should be encouraged by MacKinnon and Necas' production together so far, not simply because of their talent, but because they are finding a variety of ways to create goals and other scoring chances. When one path is cut off, they make two new ones together. It is going to be a fun and exciting season watching what magic they are able to work together game in and game out.