Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram recently shared his thoughts on practicing against his talented teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, describing the experience as less than enjoyable. “Every day in practice, when we play against those guys, it’s like, ‘This sucks.’ I can’t imagine in a game setting when they’re revved up and the adrenaline is flowing,” Byram said. This sentiment showcases the incredible skill level of MacKinnon and Rantanen, who have been instrumental in the Avalanche’s success.
As the Avalanche gear up to defend their Stanley Cup title in the playoffs, they will rely heavily on the dynamic duo of MacKinnon and Rantanen to lead the way. Last season, the team captured the Cup by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games, thanks in large part to the contributions of these two stars.
Nathan MacKinnon has had an outstanding season, amassing 34 goals and 63 assists for a total of 97 points in just 64 games played. With only a few games remaining in the regular season, there is a possibility that MacKinnon could reach the 100-point milestone for the first time in his career.
Mikko Rantanen has also been impressive, racking up 49 goals and 43 assists, totaling 92 points in 75 games played. The next highest-scoring player on the team is defenseman Cale Makar, who has accumulated 66 points this season.
The Avalanche’s success can be attributed to the remarkable chemistry between MacKinnon and Rantanen, as well as the strong supporting cast surrounding them. As they prepare for another playoff run, the team will look to continue building on the momentum they have established throughout the regular season.
Bowen Byram’s comments about facing MacKinnon and Rantanen in practice provide a glimpse into the challenges that opposing teams face when trying to contain the Avalanche’s dynamic duo. As the playoffs approach, teams will have to find a way to counteract the formidable offensive threat posed by MacKinnon and Rantanen if they hope to have any chance of stopping the Avalanche’s pursuit of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
