Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar’s three-assist performance in Game 3 was equal parts dazzling and routine. His playoff heroics, it seems, are now expected.
“We’re kind of used to Cale stepping up at important times for us,” coach Jared Bednar said.
The Avs, facing a rash of postseason injuries against the Stars, need Makar’s magic more than ever.
Colorado defenseman Nikita Zadorov, after being checked hard into the boards by Dallas forward Jamie Benn, missed the third period of the team’s 6-4 win from the Edmonton bubble — stretching thin an already downtrodden D-corps with Erik Johnson out indefinitely.
Bednar told reporters he’s hopeful that Zadorov will play Friday in Game 5. But itap entirely possible the Avalanche will be without their two most physical-bodied defensemen. Those are large skates to fill, quite literally for Makar, at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds.
“I don’t know if I add more of a physical aspect,” Makar said. “We have so much depth on our defensive side. … Everybody can step into a role. Everybody just needs to take a piece of what EJ brought to the team and kind of step up. I feel like, right now, we’ve done that. Itap going need to get more prominent as we move through this (postseason).”
Makar showcased his wide catalog of skills on Wednesday night.
About 5 minutes into the second period, Makar received a feed from Zadorov near the blue-line and sent an instant touch-pass to forward Andre Burakovsky. A pair of Stars defenders were caught flat-footed, Burakovsky skated into the high-slot, and scored a wrister past Dallas goalie Anton Khudobin.
Later in the second period Makar handled the puck at the blue-line near the Avs’ bench and sped down the boards. He faked a handoff to Gabe Landeskog, changed speed, and out-skated two defensemen around to the net-front. Makar’s backhanded shot was rebounded by a trailing Landeskog — who put in his second goal of these playoffs.
Makar also led all Colorado defensemen with six hits. Things got chippy. Makar wasn’t afraid to mix it up.
“We got running thin on defense with some injuries and guys that were missing some time,” Bednar said. “We relied heavily on some of the guys who were playing, and playing well, and Cale obviously had a huge impact for us tonight.”
Makar described the Avs’ third-period resilience as “gut-check time” in turning around a late 4-3 deficit into a victory. Colorado can even the series with Dallas with another win Friday, so long as Makar continues making plays while also lowering the boom.
“I know everybody believes in this group,” Makar said.
