Crosby vs. MacKinnon in first Battle of Cole Harbour

Colorado Avalanche rookie Nathan MacKinnon is already turning heads, but he’ll have a chance to see how he matches up with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby Monday night. MacKinnon had better get used to being compared to Crosby too.

With both players hailing from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and being No. 1 overall picks, it’s easy to see the connection. The duo also shares the same trainer and agent. MacKinnon hasn’t looked out of place at all in his first season in the NHL, recording a goal and seven points in his first eight games.

“I obviously heard about him prior to meeting him,” Crosby told reporters of MacKinnon. “The last couple summers, I’ve gotten to train with him and skate with him and spend time with him in the offseason. So, it’s been cool. To be from Cole Harbour and see someone come out of there and get drafted first overall, kind of go through the same things. I think anybody will tell you who comes from there, you’re proud to be from Cole Harbour.”

Crosby has a lot to be proud of as well. He leads the NHL with 17 points in eight games and his Penguins sit at the top of the Metropolitan Division with 14 points. Meanwhile, MacKinnon’s Avalanche are likely the biggest surprise of the season so far. With rookie head coach Patrick Roy behind the bench, Colorado has won seven of its eight games.

The Avalanche had major problems in their own end last season, but have allowed just 12 goals so far. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov has bounced back with a great start and owns a 1.68 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. With goaltending like that, it gives younger players like MacKinnon a lot more confidence on the ice to play their game without worrying that a mistake could end up in the back of the net.

While MacKinnon is still playing on Colorado’s third line, he’s getting plenty of power play time and is looking more comfortable every game. But this game will have a special feel to it.

“He’s the best player in the world and I’m just beginning my NHL career,” MacKinnon said of Crosby. “It was pretty cool training with him this summer. I saw how hard he works and it seemed like he never gets tired or anything. I was just really lucky to be able to train with him and I know how hard you have to work to become a better player. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Sports Interaction has the Penguins listed as -185 favorites with the total at 5.5 goals.