The 2022 Stanley Cup winners have championship aspirations pretty much every season, and a big reason for that is because they have a guy on their team by the name of Nathan MacKinnon.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Nathan MacKinnon No.29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena on Sept.
30, 2026, in Denver, Colo.(NHLI via Getty Images)The reigning Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy recipient (and amateur scuba diver) picked up right where he left off last season, slotting a pair of goals home against Western Conference rivals Los Angeles in an 8-4 win over the Kings.NHL PLAYOFFS START WITH A BANG AS TEAM USA STAR BRADY TKACHUK DROPS GLOVES AT OPENING FACEOFFBut it wasn't just his offensive prowess that had fans in the Ball Arena buzzing, because the man they affectionately call "Nate Dogg" let his fists do the talking as well.And those fists had a lot to say.That wasn't a fight, that was a massacre.Apparently, Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke said some not-so-nice things to MacKinnon, so the seven-time NHL All-Star had to set him straight.And this isn't a case of a 6'5" mutant like Derian Hatcher picking on some tiny skill player, either.MacKinnon is giving up two inches to Clarke in the height department.
As I mentioned before, Nate Dogg is one of the most prolific scorers in league history, and he’s doing this to a blue-liner.When the best player on your team can chuck 'em like that, you're in good shape.Center Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche fights defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) of the Los Angeles Kings during the Avalanche's 8-4 season-opening win on Wednesday, Sept.30, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.
(Denver Post via Getty Images)THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.DOWNLOA...