Jack Eichel vs. Nathan MacKinnon will be a battle for the ages

Last season, Nathan MacKinnon was the Hart Memorial Trophy winner. The Colorado Avalanche superstar scored 51 goals and 89 assists (140 assists), leading his team to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He's back at it again, scoring seven goals and an NHL-best 35 points.

However, he might have some unique competition in the form of Jack Eichel. The Vegas Golden Knights superstar has eight goals and 34 points (tied for third in the NHL). Pundits and fans haven't talked enough about the center's impact on the Golden Knights. He's made his linemates better, with Ivan Barbashev (10 goals, 14 assists) playing above expectations.

These two megastars will make Wednesday's colossal matchup between the Golden Knights and Avalanche much bigger. It isn't just two points on the line for both teams. It's also a chance to solidify your case for the Hart Memorial Trophy. With the two forwards sitting pretty atop the points stats in the NHL, fans will flock to see these two play.

And with good reason, too! Hockey is built off the backs of the biggest names and superstars, whether it's Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid. Of course, there's the old guard, consisting of names like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. But Eichel and MacKinnon are two of the more underrated superstars in today's NHL. So what makes Wednesday's matchup appointment viewing for the average hockey fan?

What will make Jack Eichel against Nathan MacKinnon special

Vegas Golden Knights fans are familiar with what Jack Eichel can do. He's the offense's focal point, making his teammates much better. That includes Barbashev, who's on pace to shatter his career-high of 26 goals (2021-22) with 37. But the center has contributed his fair share throughout the season, too. Goals like these make the four-time All-Star a special talent, especially when he runs the offense.

Sometimes, it takes a special player to climb out of a significant deficit, whether it's 3-0 or a similar hole. Eichel kickstarted the comeback for the Golden Knights on Monday, notching the only shootout goal to complete a comeback victory, 5-4.

While the native of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, has been extremely valuable to the Golden Knights, the same can be said for Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche.

He has everything you'd want in a franchise player: Speed, incredible hands, and terrific passing skills. It's no wonder the Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup. MacKinnon is similar to how Eichel operates with the Golden Knights. He makes everything go for the team, whether it's the transition attack or the power play.

Of course, he's also faced the same problems that Eichel's faced during his Golden Knights tenure. Before his 2023-24 Hart Trophy campaign, the 29-year-old played 253 games in the four seasons before. Upper-body and lower-body injuries have hampered him, leaving the Avalanche without their leader.

Eichel and MacKinnon will be a preview of who wins the Hart Trophy

The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche are the last two Western Conference teams to hoist Lord Stanley. They did it in back-to-back seasons, with Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel leading the way. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising to see both players lead their respective teams on deep runs in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

However, Wednesday's matchup will be a preview of who's more deserving of the Hart Memorial Trophy. Will it be the reigning winner, MacKinnon, who's back atop the points standings? Or will it be Eichel, recognizing his true potential as an elite center in the NHL?

Of course, other names will be thrown into the mix, including McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov (34 points, tied for third in the NHL), and Sam Reinhart (16 goals, tied for first in the NHL). However, the focus will be on the two superstars in Denver, Colorado. It could be more than a Hart Trophy race preview, though. It could also be a preview of the Western Conference Final, providing a heavy dose of electricity in hockey.