Playing shorthanded on the blue line is nothing new for Colorado as veteran Erik Johnson is the only defenseman to appear in all 22. “You’re not going to win games in the playoffs giving up that many goals,” Makar told the media.Ĭolorado will be playing without talented young defenseman Bowen Byram.

Colorado has allowed 11 goals in the last two games and has allowed at least five goals eight times this season. Colorado has given up 76 goals and among Western Conference teams, only Arizona, Vancouver, and the expansion Seattle Kraken have allowed more goals. Makar leads all NHL defensemen with 11 goals and at the pace he is going, he has a chance to join Paul Coffey and Bobby Orr as the only defensemen in NHL history with at least 40 goals in a season.Ĭolorado was outside the playoffs early but is currently tied with Dallas for second place in the Central Division behind the Minnesota Wild. He had seven goals and five assists during an eight-game winning streak. Makar has been held off the scoresheet just three times since that sluggish start. It seems like years have passed since talented young defenseman Cale Makar had just one assist in the first four games as the Colorado Avalanche began the season 1-3.

Cooking madness