Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar named NHL First Star of the Week

Cale Makar (Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar of Calgary, Alberta has been named the National Hockey League first star of the week for the week from December 16 to 22, 2024 according to Jon Alfano of Sports Illustated. In four games, Makar has two goals and six assists for eight points. He was also a +2 with four power-play points, one game-winning goal, 21 shots on goal, two hits and eight blocked shots.

Makar had one assist in a 3-1 Avalanche loss to the Vancouver Canucks on December 16. That was followed by two assists in a 4-2 Avalanche win over the San Jose Sharks on December 19, one goal and one assist for two points in a 4-2 Avalanche win over the Anaheim Ducks on December 20, and one goal and two assists for three points in a 5-2 Avalanche win over the Seattle Kraken on December 22. Makar’s game winning goal came against the Ducks. He scored on the power-play from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen at 3:30 of the third period on the power-play to put the Avalanche up 3-1.

In 36 games this season, Makar has 11 goals and 34 assists for 45 points. He is a +7 with six penalty minutes, 19 power-play points, one shorthanded point, three game-winning goals, 114 shots on goal, 51 blocked shots, 30 hits, 28 takeaways, and 51 giveaways. The shorthanded point was a shorthanded goal and came in a 6-4 Avalanche win over the Carolina Hurricanes on November 9. Makar scored unassisted at 9:13 of the second period, and put the Avalanche on the scoreboard, and trailed 2-1.

The Avalanche are currently at 21 wins and 15 losses for 42 points. They are sixth place in the Western Conference and three points up on the Calgary Flames for a playoff spot.

 

 

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