The NHL Awards race is heating up as March brings significant changes to the standings across the board. Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche has reclaimed the lead for the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP, edging past Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. MacKinnon is on a quest to become the first player since Alex Ovechkin to win consecutive MVP awards, alongside a potential Art Ross Trophy win. Meanwhile, Zach Werenski is making waves as the leading candidate for the Norris Trophy, fueled by a strong performance that supports the Columbus Blue Jackets’ unexpected playoff push.

Leon Draisaitl remains a strong contender for the MVP, with his impressive goal tally solidifying his standing in the race. Hellebuyck's contributions as a goaltender have not gone unnoticed, with a substantial support base still backing him for the Vezina Trophy. The Calder Trophy race is led by Macklin Celebrini, who continues to impress despite the tightening competition. Each award has its own narrative, with both individual achievements and team performance playing crucial roles in the outcomes.

The Chicago Blackhawks faced off against the Colorado Avalanche, with Nathan MacKinnon shining brightly. His two assists in the third period not only secured the win for Colorado but also marked the milestone of his 1000th career point, achieved in only 856 games at just 29 years old. This accomplishment underscores MacKinnon's evolution into a potential Hall of Famer, reflecting on his early struggles before breaking out as a top player.

For the Blackhawks, the performance of Connor Bedard, another first overall draft pick, provides hope. At 19, Bedard is already exceeding MacKinnon’s early career stats and showcases potential for superstardom. MacKinnon himself noted Bedard's impressive play, emphasizing the importance of patience in development. Chicago’s path forward involves nurturing Bedard to reach his elite potential, much like Colorado did with MacKinnon.

Nathan MacKinnon etched his name in NHL history as he became the 100th player to reach 1,000 career points, achieving the milestone during a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Colorado Avalanche celebrated the moment, capping a perfect six-game homestand. MacKinnon assisted on both of his team's first two goals, contributing to a dominant performance led by goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who secured his second shutout of the season.

MacKinnon’s first point came on a play that was initially disallowed but was later confirmed, leading to a euphoric celebration from his teammates. The Avalanche now hold a crucial lead in the Central Division, aided by MacKinnon's league-leading 102 assists this season. The team continues to find its rhythm as they look to solidify their playoff positioning.

Nathan MacKinnon celebrated a significant milestone, achieving 1,000 career points during the Colorado Avalanche's 3-0 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. He assisted on Artturi Lehkonen's goal early in the third period, marking the occasion with a spirited celebration from teammates.

MacKinnon, the reigning NHL MVP and the first player from the 2013 draft class to reach this point, had a near-miss earlier in the game when a potential assist was negated by an offside challenge. This momentous achievement places him alongside franchise legends Joe Sakic and Peter Stastny as only the third Avalanche player to reach the 1,000-point mark.

Nathan MacKinnon etched his name into NHL history as he became the 100th player to reach 1,000 career regular-season points. The milestone was achieved just 31 seconds into the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks, with Artturi Lehkonen deflecting a shot from Devon Toews, assisted by MacKinnon. MacKinnon joins legends Joe Sakic and Peter Stastny as the only players to hit this mark for the Colorado Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques franchise.

Despite a controversial waved-off goal earlier in the game, MacKinnon's path to this achievement has been remarkable. After being the first overall pick in the 2013 draft and winning the Calder Trophy, MacKinnon faced challenges early in his career but has since emerged as one of the NHL's elite talents. With six top-six MVP finishes in the past seven seasons and a Hart Trophy to his name, he leads the NHL in points this season, eyeing the Art Ross Trophy.