Avalanche's Cale Makar: Breaks through with three points
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Makar scored an empty-net goal on six shots, dished two assists, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Stars in Game 6.
Makar had been held off the scoresheet over the last three games, going minus-4 in that span. The defenseman made up for it with a big performance in a must-win Game 6. He set up tallies by Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas before adding an empty-netter late in the third period. Makar has five points, 25 shots, eight blocked shots, eight hits and an even plus-minus rating over six playoff outings. The Avalanche will need this version of Makar to show up again in Saturday's Game 7.
Makar logged a power-play assist and two blocked shots in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Stars in Game 1.
Makar set up Nathan MacKinnon's second-period tally, which was the game-winner. They will likely be bellwethers for the Avalanche's fortunes in the playoffs, and they're off to a good start. Makar had momentum entering the postseason, earning 17 points over 13 outings before resting in the last two games of the regular season. Overall, he had career highs in goals (30) and points (92) in 2024-25 while adding a plus-28 rating, 246 shots on net and 128 blocked shots over 80 appearances in the regular season.
Makar (rest) participated in Wednesday's practice session, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports, indicating that he should be available for the start of the postseason.
Makar sat out Colorado's final two regular-season games for rest purposes, but he should unsurprisingly be back in action for the start of the playoffs. He recorded points in 10 of his last 13 appearances of the regular season, recording six goals, 11 assists, 29 blocked shots, seven hits and a plus-5 rating while averaging 26:08 of ice time.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Won't travel for final games
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Makar (rest) will not travel for the team's final two games, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Friday.
As a result of the Avalanche's playoff position being set in stone, Makar is one of several players who will take the rest of the regular season off and won't travel for the remaining two games. It will be the first time that Makar will not play all year. He finishes his regular season with a career-high 92 points on 30 goals and 62 assists.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Gathers helper
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Makar notched an assist, two shots on goal, four blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Canucks.
Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette reports Makar is open to taking rest during the last two games of the regular season, so fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place. In any case, Makar's remained dynamic late in the season with six goals and 11 assists over his last 13 contests. He's at 30 goals and 92 points, both career highs, while adding 246 shots on net, 128 blocked shots, 51 hits and a plus-28 rating over 80 appearances. He hasn't missed a game yet this year, but Makar's familiar with the playoff grind, so he'll do whatever is necessary to set the Avalanche up for success in the postseason.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Sets career high in points, games
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Makar posted an assist, two shots on goal and four blocked shots in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Blues.
The helper was Makar's 91st point of the season, surpassing his previous career high of 90 from the 2023-24 campaign. He also skated in his 78th contest of the season, which is a personal best for a defenseman who's had more than his share of injuries early in his career. He's at 30 goals, 61 helpers, 243 shots on net, 123 blocked shots, 50 hits and a plus-31 rating in 2024-25, and he's earned three goals and four assists during his active four-game point streak.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Joins exclusive club Thursday
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Makar scored a power-play goal and added two even-strength assists in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jackets.
With his tally in the final minute of the second period, Makar became the ninth defenseman in NHL history with 30 or more goals in a season -- a list that includes Hall of Famers Paul Coffey, Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin and Ray Bourque. Makar is surging to wrap up the regular season, racking up six goals and 15 points in the last 10 games, and his next point will give him 91 on the campaign to establish a new career high.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Two points in comeback win
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Makar scored a goal on four shots, dished an assist and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Blackhawks.
Makar has set a career high in goals with 29 after scoring to put the Avalanche on the board at 9:17 of the third period. He's also up to 87 points through 76 appearances, three points off his career high from last season. Makar has surged on offense with five goals and seven assists over his last nine contests. He's got a chance to join an elite group if he can find the twine once more this season. That would make him the ninth blueliner to record at least 30 goals in a single campaign.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Nets goal vs. Calgary
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Makar scored a goal and recorded four shots in Monday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Flames.
Thanks to that marker, Makar has matched his previous career-best mark in goals with 28, a figure he also reached during the 2021-22 season. The star defenseman has recorded at least 85 points for the third time across his last four seasons, and his role as one of the most productive blueliners in the league is not under any question. He's approaching the end of the regular season on a strong note, racking up 10 points (four goals, six assists) over his last eight appearances.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Supplies pair of helpers
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Makar logged two assists, including one on the power play, and blocked four shots in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Kings.
Makar has three goals and six assists over his last six outings. The 26-year-old defenseman continues to make the remarkable look routine while playing a massive role on the Avalanche's top pairing. For the season, he's contributed 27 goals, 57 helpers, 34 power-play points, 224 shots on net, 114 blocked shots and a plus-28 rating over 73 appearances.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Finds twine Tuesday
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Makar scored a goal on five shots and went plus-3 in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Red Wings.
Makar wasn't initially credited for the Avalanche's first goal, but it was later ruled his shot got through without hitting another Colorado player in front of the net. The quest for 30 goals remains too close to call -- Makar is up to 27 on the year, and he's scored three of them over his last five games while adding four assists in that span. For the season, he's at 82 points, 224 shots on net, 110 blocked shots and a plus-27 rating through 72 outings. He's guaranteed to finish at or above a point-per-game pace for the fifth year in a row, and his career-high 90 points from 2023-24 is still within reach.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Two points in Ottawa
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Makar scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.
Both points came in the first period as Colorado roared out to a 4-0 lead. Makar continues to pile up points, leading all NHL defensemen with 26 markers and 81 points through 70 appearances, and he's got a shot at recording the first 30-goal campaign by a blueliner since Mike Green potted 31 for the Capitals in 2008-09.
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Earns power-play helper in loss
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Makar notched a power-play assist, two shots on goal and four blocked shots in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Makar has four points over his last two outings after he endured a rare three-game slump. The 26-year-old defenseman continues to lead all NHL blueliners in points with 79 (25 goals, 54 assists) through 69 outings, 10 points ahead of the Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski. Makar has earned 32 of his points with the man advantage while adding 209 shots on net, 104 blocked shots and a plus-24 rating. He needs 11 points over the Avalanche's last 13 games to match his career-high total of 90 points from last season.
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