Makar Named NHL Third Star of the Week
Becomes first Avs rookie defenseman to earn honor
by Callie Parmele @CallieParmele / ColoradoAvalanche.com
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was named the NHL's Third Star for the week ending on Nov. 10, the league announced on Monday.
Makar had six points (three goals, three assists) in three games last week, tied for the most among all defensemen in the league, and helped the Avalanche improve to 10-5-2 on the season.
He recorded his first career three-point outing in the Avs' 9-4 win versus the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center on Thursday. His three-point performance tied the single-game Avalanche record for a rookie defenseman, a mark set by Kevin Shattenkirk on Nov. 27, 2010 versus the Minnesota Wild.
Video: NSH@COL: Makar stakes Avalanche to early lead
Makar followed that up with his first career multi-goal outing in Colorado's 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. His second tally was the eventual game-winning goal, the first game-winner of his career in the regular season.
The Calgary, Alberta, native is the 10th defenseman in Colorado history (since 1995-96) to score twice in a period and the first Avalanche rookie rear guard to record two goals in a game since the team moved to Denver. He is just the third first-year D-man in franchise history to do so, joining Pierre Lacroix, who did it twice (Nov. 20, 1979 versus Boston and Jan. 27, 1980 versus Detroit), and Bruce Bell (Jan. 24, 1985 versus Montreal).
Makar is also the fourth D-man in Avalanche/Nordiques history to record a multi-goal game before his 22nd birthday, as Bryan Fogarty (Dec. 1, 1990), Bell (Jan. 24, 1985) and Lacroix (Nov. 20, 1979 and Jan. 27, 1980) also accomplished the feat. He is just the second rookie blueliner in Avalanche/Nordiques history to post consecutive multi-point outings, joining David Pichette (Dec. 7-10, 1980).
Video: CBJ@COL: Makar slips shot five-hole for second goal
Makar also had an assist in the Avs' 4-1 loss at the Dallas Stars last Tuesday. The 21-year-old leads all rookie skaters with 17 points and 13 assists in 17 outings. He is the fourth defenseman in NHL history and second in the modern era (since 1943-44) to collect at least 17 points through his first 17 career regular-season games.
This is Makar's first time being named to the NHL's weekly stars. He is the second Avalanche rookie to be honored in the league's accolades, joining Matt Duchene (third star, Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2009). He is also just the third Colorado defenseman to be named one of the weekly stars, joining John-Michael Liles (second star, Nov. 15-21, 2010) and Tyson Barrie (third star Jan. 4-10, 2016).
Ottawa Senators goaltender Ander Nilsson was named the league's first star of the week, while Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews earned second star honors.