The Colorado Avalanche cruised right through the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it’s because of one man: Cale Makar.
Not only is Makar a finalist for the Norris Trophy, but he’s getting the highest of praises from his teammates as well.
After Monday night’s Game 4 victory, Nathan MacKinnon said, “he might be one of the best defensemen to ever play by the end of his career.”
Over his 39 career post season games, Makar has tallied up 41 points which averages out to 1.05 points per game. The only player to have a better average over that many games is the legendary Bobby Orr who averaged 1.24 points per game.
“He might be the best player in the league right now. In these playoffs he’s taken another step with his leadership,” MacKinnon added and it has shown on the stat line.
Makar’s 10 points in the series against Nashville was the most points in NHL history by a defenseman through four games in a postseason. Makar jumped over Paul Coffey, Dennis Potvin, Joe Micheletti, and Bobby Orr.
Head coach Jared Bednar said, “he doesn’t let up, he keeps getting better and better.” In what might’ve been Colorado’s toughest game of the series, Bednar also mentioned that he felt that Makar was in almost all of the scoring chances the Avalanche had.
In Game 4, Makar sniped one in to give the Avs a 2-1 lead. Makar then pulled a razzle dazzle on the boards that lead to a pass to a wide-open net for Valeri Nichushkin to give the Avs a 4-3 lead.
In Game 3, Makar set up a pass to Gabriel Landeskog on the power play that Landy was able to put on net for MacKinnon to clean up and score. Makar would go on and finish the game with three assists.
In Game 2, Makar had just one point, but it was the game winning goal in overtime. Makar put 12 shots on goal setting a new franchise record and tied for the 3rd most by a defenseman in playoff game. During the game, Makar actually shot the puck a total of 23 times to keep pressure on the Nashville goalie before his game winner finally went in.
Game 1, Makar had 3 points with 1 goal and 2 assists. The Avalanche went on and won 7-2.
Not only does Makar have 10 points in the playoffs so far, but it’s four more points than teammate MacKinnon who is tied for the playoff lead of five goals.
With the 23-year old averaging 2.5 points per game as a defenseman, the Avalanche are in good hands and have the best shot to win the Stanley Cup this year.
Colorado will face the St. Louis Blues in Round 2.
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