Fun in the Sun: MacKinnon and Rantanen Headed to NHL All-Star Game

The fans righted the NHL’s wrong by voting Mikko Rantanen to the 2023 NHL All-Star game.

They decided to send his buddy Nathan MacKinnon with him too.

The two stars will join Cale Makar for the All-Star game festivities, which will take place Feb. 3-4. The host this year is the Florida Panthers, so the trio will be able to get some rest and relaxation in while attending the event. Both Rantanen and MacKinnon were voted in by the fans.

This marks the third time in the last four All-Star games that the Avalanche have sent three players to the mid-season event.

Both Rantanen and MacKinnon are on pace to have the best statistical seasons of their careers.

Rantanen currently leads the Avalanche in both goals (31) and points (56). He’s on pace to shatter his career high in both categories. If he keeps scoring the way he has in the first 43 games, he could become the franchise’s first 50 goal scorer since Milan Hejduk did it in 02-03.

MacKinnon, who has missed 11 games due to injury, is still on pace to reach 100 points for the first time in his career. He leads the Avalanche with 36 assists so far, and is on pace to crush his previous career high of 58 assists in a season.

This will be Rantanen’s second All-Star selection, while MacKinnon has been selected to six straight All-Star games. MacKinnon is the first Avalanche player to be selected to six consecutive All-Star games since Peter Forsberg.

The Avalanche still have five games to worry about before the All-Star game takes place. Their season continues on Friday evening when they take on the Vancouver Canucks.