Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche reached a remarkable milestone on Thursday night, scoring his 30th goal of the season in a 7-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. This achievement not only solidified Makar's place in NHL history but also helped the Avalanche secure a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.
The game was a thrilling showcase of talent, with Makar's goal making him just the ninth defenseman in NHL history to reach the 30-goal mark in a single season. The last defenseman to achieve this feat was Mike Green, who did so in the 2008-09 season. The NHL's official account on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Makar's accomplishment with a post that described the feat as 'absurd,' highlighting the rarity of a defenseman reaching such scoring heights.
Makar's milestone came during a power play in the second period, where he executed a powerful one-timer that put the Avalanche ahead 5-2 just 38 seconds before the end of the period. This goal was part of a three-point night for the young defenseman, who also contributed two assists, bringing his season total to 90 points, tying his career high set last season. With this performance, Makar became the first NHL defenseman to record consecutive 90-point seasons since legends Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis did so over three decades ago.
"30 goals from a defenseman is absurd 😱," the NHL tweeted, underscoring the significance of Makar's achievement. His scoring prowess has not only earned him accolades but also placed him as the favorite to win his second Norris Trophy, with betting odds at -1800, according to Vegas insiders.
The Avalanche's victory over the Blue Jackets was crucial as it clinched their playoff berth. Colorado now holds a record of 47-26-4 and sits third in the Central Division with 98 points after 77 games. The team is gearing up for another deep playoff run, with Makar leading the charge. The Avalanche's scoring was not limited to Makar; Charlie Coyle, Nathan MacKinnon, and Devon Toews each contributed a goal and two assists in the game, while Miles Wood, Parker Kelly, and Brock Nelson also found the back of the net.
Despite a promising start, the Blue Jackets were unable to maintain their momentum. They initially took a 3-2 lead in the second period, thanks to goals from Sean Monahan, Zachary Aston-Reese, and Boone Jenner. However, the Avalanche responded fiercely, scoring five unanswered goals after falling behind.
In the second period, after Jenner's goal gave Columbus the temporary lead, Coyle and Kelly struck back quickly for Colorado, scoring just 1:23 apart, which shifted the momentum back in favor of the Avalanche. The Blue Jackets' loss was particularly disappointing as they were in pursuit of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, now trailing four points behind the Montreal Canadiens.
As the regular season nears its conclusion, the Avalanche are preparing for their next challenge, a game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on the same night, hoping to regain their footing in the playoff race.
Overall, Makar's historic night not only showcased his individual brilliance but also emphasized the strength of the Avalanche as they head into the playoffs. With the combination of Makar's scoring and the team's overall performance, Colorado is poised to make a significant impact in the postseason.
