The improved skating has also helped Rantanen keep up with MacKinnon, who is the No. 1 line’s catalyst and a player renowned for his blazing speed. According to McNab, Landeskog brings veteran stability and completes the puzzle as a pure-power left winger. Since October 2017, no other NHL line has combined for more regular-season goals. “They’ve learned how to play with each other on top of having instant chemistry,” McNab says. “They must be very intelligent hockey people because the conversations they have, how they improve, what they work on over time. The biggest, single [difference] I see from last year is just absolute trust. They trust the guy with the puck is going to make the right play, so if I make the right play behind him, I’m going to get the puck.”

When Avalanche games are over and players retire to their homes or hotel rooms, Landeskog will often hear a familiar ping on his smartphone. After glancing down and seeing that Rantanen has sent a text, the captain usually realizes that even though the final horn has sounded, the game’s not truly done. “He never leaves me alone,” Landeskog says with a laugh.

Rantanen often watches league highlights and will come across a power-play breakout or face-off play that mesmerizes him. The No. 1 line doesn’t have a WhatsApp group, so Rantanen will fire off his ideas to Landeskog, who acts as the middle man between the winger and MacKinnon, the centre. “That’s sort of how it works,” Landeskog says. “Mikko and I are very close — all three of us are close — but yeah, I think Mikko prefers coming to me, because he knows I’m open to suggestions. Sometimes Nate can be [less] welcoming.

“We have a few plays that Mikko has come with. We will try ’em out there and, a lot of times, they work.”