Kucherov and MacKinnon are often neck-and-neck in this race for a reason: They’re both the best of the best at their playing style, but their playing styles are different, so it comes down to what each individual voter values.
Right now, MacKinnon’s doing his thing (competitiveness, racking up points) just slightly better than Kucherov is doing his thing (finesse, racking up goals) in my opinion, but this literally can change on a day to day basis. MacKinnon (and Cale Makar, who is also putting up insane numbers) has willed the Avalanche back from the brink with 1.94 points per game. He’s leading the league with 33 points in 17 games, which is three more than the second highest scorer (that’s a lot, here!).
MacKinnon’s role is arguably more important than Kucherov’s right now because of the position the Avalanche were in compared to where they are now, and what he’s done to correct course. But it’s not Kucherov’s fault he finds himself on one of the best lines in the league, so I’m not opposed to anyone’s arguments that Kucherov has a slight edge on MacKinnon, either. Plus, with Brayden Point out, Kucherov really gets to make his individual trophy case.
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