Nathan MacKinnon called for embellishment just one night after Sidney Crosby controversy
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Two nights in a row. Two Nova Scotia superstars. Two embellishment calls that have the hockey world talking.
Nathan MacKinnon got the whistle Thursday night against the Kings. He took a cross-check in the back, sold the fall forward, and the officials sent him to the box for diving.
One night earlier, Sidney Crosby got the identical treatment. Same call, same frustration, same post-game reaction questioning the refs.
MacKinnon and Crosby both come from the same corner of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
The hockey province that built two of the sport's most dominant centers just watched both of them get mocked by the rulebook in back-to-back nights.
The 30-year-old Avalanche star finished the regular season with 53 goals and 127 points.
That's a +57 rating and a $12.6 million cap hit. Star players aren't supposed to take embellishment calls. And yet.
Playoff whistles are telling stars to stay on their feet
Power-play time in the playoffs is gold. The officials know it. That's exactly why they're watching embellishment closer than usual and calling it when they see the slightest hint of a dive.
Coming from a player of MacKinnon's caliber, it's not a great look. Same goes for Crosby.
Proud competitors who want every inch of ice, every call, every advantage they can squeeze out of a shift.
But there's a line.
Is this a warning to the rest of the league? Probably. If the two biggest names from the same hometown can both get embellishment calls in 24 hours, nobody else is safe from the scrutiny.
Jared Bednar now has to address this in his own room. MacKinnon is the engine of everything Colorado does at even strength and on the power play.
Taking bad penalties after selling contact is a tax this team can't keep paying.
The Avalanche went 3-0 against the Kings in the regular season. Colorado is supposed to own this matchup, not give away power plays because of theatrics.
MacKinnon will be fine. Crosby will be fine. The message from the referees is the real takeaway. Stay on your feet, or the next call goes the other way.
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