Cale Makar has been an outstanding player for the Colorado Avalanche since he was drafted fourth-overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. He’s won many awards and is almost always noticeable on the ice. I say “almost” because there have been just a few times this season where it’s like, “where is Makar?”
Makar has 17 goals and 53 assists during the 2023-24 NHL season.Despite a little bit of a slump, he was able to record a hat trick on Wednesday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Same old Cale, right?
Well, that’s the shocking thing. Last night was Makar’s first career hat trick. His first career hat trick. When I heard that, and then read it on social media, I just couldn’t believe it. How could Makar, who’s virtually been unstoppable his entire career with the Colorado Avalanche, not have recorded a hat trick in 296 career games?
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying it’s ridiculous in a bad way that he hadn’t done it up to this point in his NHL career. It just shocks me that it’s been this long without him having that production in a single game.
Check out Makar’s hat trick performance here.
The first of Makar’s goals was nearly from the blue line, as expected from a defenseman. I think the execution of the play was outstanding. The Avalanche usually try and create an open lane for shots to go through to get to the net, but in the case of this first goal, it was crowded. It’s incredible that the puck found its way into the net!
The second of Makar’s goals was a sequence that included several attempts to get through.
On the third goal, Makar caught Detroit’s goaltender off guard, with him looking back to see where the puck was. He ended up watching the puck slowly go into the net.
The Colorado Avalanche need Makar’s outstanding performances as they reach closer to the 2023-24 NHL postseason.