Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon must be in the MVP conversation

When it comes to the Hart Trophy and being the most valuable player on his team, the conversation starts and ends with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, two players from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. 

Both players are willing their teams to the playoffs this season. Let's begin with Crosby in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are a borderline playoff team at best. However, Pittsburgh is right in the playoff hunt, tied with the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals with 44 points. The Devils hold the final wild-card spot, but that does not mean the Penguins cannot pass them by. 

A big reason is the play of Crosby. While Alex Ovechkin in Washington is slowing down, Crosby is only getting better. He has a passion and drive for the game only a few players display. 

"Not too much different," Crosby said to Emily Kaplan of ESPN. "I still love it. Having a passion for it helps a lot. Love the game, love learning, that doesn't change all these years later." 

Crosby at the age of 36 is second on the Penguins in scoring with 41 points behind Jake Guentzel's 44 points. However, Crosby leads the team in goals with 22 and is fifth on the team with 19 assists. Of his 22 goals, six have come on the power play. Crosby is on pace for one of the best seasons of his career. 

Nobody expected much from Crosby and the Penguins this season. Yet, the veteran is still on pace for 51 goals this season. He just has that extra edge needed to will his team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And you have to think if the Penguins do get there, Crosby is a finalist for the Hart Trophy. 

But there might be another player from the same hometown as Crosby who is making a case for the Hart Trophy this season. Nathan MacKinnon is proving why he should have won the Hart Trophy already in his career. 

This season, MacKinnon has a 22-game point streak to begin the season on home ice. MacKinnon is always on the scoresheet for the Avalanche. And similar to Crosby, when Colorado needs a big play, there is "Nate the Great" doing his thing.

In 41 games this season, MacKinnon has 66 points (22 goals and 44 assists). How ironic is it that Crosby and MacKinnon, both from Cole Harbour, have the same amount of goals this season? MacKinnon is averaging 1.6 points per game and Crosby is averaging 1.05 points per game. 

Colorado is sitting second in the Central Division and most experts felt the Avalanche had a chance to win the Stanley Cup this season. However, without the play of Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche might not be in the position they are in. 

Again, the definition of being an MVP is the "most valuable player to his team." Both Crosby and MacKinnon are showing those words to be true. There is a reason why both players need to be in the Hart Trophy conversation and candidates at the end of the regular season.