COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Avalanche’s Cale Makar scored against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night to become the NHL’s ninth defenseman, and the first with Colorado, to reach the 30-goal plateau in a season.
The sixth-year player is the NHL’s first defenseman to reach the 30-goal mark since Mike Green of the Washington Capitals had 31 in 2008-09.
Makar put the Avalanche up 5-2 by scoring a power-play goal with 38 seconds left in the second period. He was set up in the left circle for a one-timer by a pass from Nathan MacKinnon. Colorado went on to win 7-3 and clinch a playoff berth for an eighth consecutive season.
Overall, NHL blue liners have now combined to reach 30 goals 18 times, led by Bobby Orr, who had five 30-goal seasons. Paul Coffey (four) and Denis Potvin (three) are the only others to have had multiple 30-goal seasons. The list is rounded out by Ray Bourque, Kevin Hatcher, Phil Housley and Doug Wilson.
With the goal and two assists, the 26-year-old Makar also increased his point total to 90, matching the franchise record for defenseman he set last season. In doing so, he became the NHL’s fifth defenseman to produce consecutive 90-point seasons, and first since Coffey (1988-89 to 1990-91) and Al MacInnis (1989-90 to 1990-91).
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Related Posts:
- Makar scores to reach rare milestone and Avalanche beat Blue Jackets 7-3 to secure playoff spot News COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Cale Makar scored to become just the ninth NHL defenseman with 30 goals in a season and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff berth with a 7-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. Makar also had two assists while Charlie Coyle, Nathan MacKinnon…
- Defenseman injured in San Jose Sharks’ shootout loss to Anaheim Ducks News Defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin was injured by Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano early in the third period of Tuesday’s game at Honda Center. Mukhamadullin ran into Troy Terry in the neutral zone, a play that knocked down the Ducks forward. Vatrano then went after Mukhamadullin, dropping his stick and throwing his…
- Insider Links Red Wings to Signing $11.75 Million Defenseman in Free Agency Sports The Detroit Red Wings are unlikely to make the playoffs this season and are expected to be aggressive in the offseason to improve their roster. Detroit was hoping to be a playoff team but have struggled in the second-half of the season to take them out of the running. A…
- Defenseman injured in San Jose Sharks’ shootout loss to Anaheim Ducks News Defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin was injured by Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano early in the third period of Tuesday’s game at Honda Center. Mukhamadullin ran into Troy Terry in the neutral zone, a play that knocked down the Ducks forward. Vatrano then went after Mukhamadullin, dropping his stick and throwing his…
- DU defenseman Zeev Buium named Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick Finalist News Zeev Buium is chasing not one but two pieces of hardware next week in St. Louis. The University of Denver defenseman was named a Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick Finalist on Thursday afternoon, making him one of three vying for college hockey’s most prestigious award. Buium and the defending national…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)