Milan Hejduk may not be pleased after Nathan MacKinnon's latest feat with the Avalanche

The star centre climbed past Milan Hejduk on Wednesday, becoming the franchise leader in goals against Minnesota, a mark that speaks to his longevity and drive. Fans expected MacKinnon to own big moments, yet this one still landed with a satisfying thud.

Hejduk held the top spot for years, setting a standard from the early 2000s that felt safe for a long time. MacKinnon erased that cushion with a mix of speed, edge control, and that trademark burst through the slot that Minnesota defenders never seem to solve.

The milestone arrives in a season where Colorado continues to dominate the NHL standings. MacKinnon now sits deeper in that group of franchise pillars who show up against rivals when stakes tighten.

As a long-time Avs watcher, this kind of steady domination against a familiar opponent hits differently, because it reminds you why MacKinnon's prime feels so special. He shapes games with pace, but he also punishes the same opponents over and over until it becomes part of the rivalry's DNA.

MacKinnon, drafted first overall in 2013, now has more than a decade of battles with Minnesota, many coming in seasons where the divisional race tightened around thin margins. His production in those moments has often nudged Colorado forward, giving the team a needed spark when the matchup grows heavy.

This Wild tally record also dovetails with his broader scoring push. MacKinnon continues hovering near or above point-per-game marks every season, and his goal totals often climb late in the year when the Avalanche lean hardest on their top line.

Minnesota, meanwhile, has rotated through coaches and systems while trying to slow him, shifting between tighter neutral-zone traps and layered defensive looks. None of it has fully worked. MacKinnon still finds seams at controlled-entry angles, and he still tilts the ice with constant pressure on the rush.

Colorado will welcome every bit of this momentum as winter deepens. If MacKinnon keeps carving through the Wild the way he has, this new record might feel like another stepping stone rather than a finish line.