The top pick in 2013, MacKinnon, 29, also is on the precipice of becoming the first player in his draft class to reach 1,000 points (362 goals, 637 assists). The next closest is Florida center Aleksander Barkov — the second overall pick — with 771 points.

Nathan MacKinnon’s fast. Every defenseman and goaltender around the league knows about his elite speed all too well. Knowing that doesn’t make containing the hard-charging, fast-flying Colorado Avalanche forward any easier.

Nathan MacKinnon appeared to have reached the 1,000-point milestone in the first period of Colorado’s game against Chicago. His teammates even streamed onto the ice to celebrate his history-making assist.