Defenseman Cale Makar seeking to rediscover his offensive rhythm as Colorado Avalanche confront potential series elimination in Game 6 versus Stars.
Heck of a Pickle: Cale Makar, Star Defenseman, Facing Scoring Glitch Against Dallas Stars
Wearing New Skates, but Struggling to Score
In a pivotal Game 6, Colorado Avalanche's defenseman, Cale Makar, breaks in a new pair of skates while striving to shake off his current scoring predicament. The pesky Dallas Stars have shut down Makar so far, keeping him off the scoresheet with no goals and just two assists in the first-round series, leaving the Avalanche trailing 3-2. If the Stars win tonight, it will be game over.
A year ago, the Stars were in the same spot and managed to dash Colorado's playoff dreams in double overtime. "I'm not worried about him," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar reassured reporters. "I think he's going to bounce back with a huge game for us tomorrow."
Makar Sets the Pace
Makar, 26, sets the bar high with his prolific scoring ability. Entering the playoffs, he averaged an impressive 1.11 points per game, putting him among the greatest blue-line scorers in Stanley Cup history. Only Hall of Fame legend Bobby Orr boasted a higher average (1.24).
Regular season standout, Makar notched 30 goals and 62 assists. He's the ninth defenseman to ever score 30 or more goals in an NHL campaign.
Recently, honors have been pouring in for Makar. He's up for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's top defenseman. He's also among the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award – a honor bestowed upon the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by fellow players.
While Makar appreciates the accolades, he's got his eyes on Game 6. "Honestly, I've got to be a lot better," he admitted. "There have been flashes where I've been pretty good, but there's a lot of areas I can improve upon."
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche: A Rivalry Renewed
Where to Watch: Game 6, Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT (TBS)
Series: Stars lead 3-2
Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen is all too familiar with the challenges of playing at the Ball Arena. Having spent a significant chunk of his career with the Avalanche before joining the Stars this season, Rantanen knows how electrifying the crowd can be during a close-out game. Rantanen was instrumental in Colorado's Stanley Cup win in 2022, going 7-3 in home games during that run.
In contrast, Dallas boasts a strong record in games played at the Ball Arena in postseason series against Colorado, winning 4 out of 5 games over the last two seasons, including wrapping up the second-round series in Game 6 last year on Matt Duchene's double-overtime winner.
"We'd love to end it tomorrow," Duchene says. "We'd love to avoid a trip back to Dallas for Game 7."
For Colorado, the stakes are high: win or go home.
"It's a mix of desperation and fear," veteran forward Brock Nelson admits. "But we aim to harness that pressure, use it to drive our play, and come out on top."
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild
Where to Watch: Game 6, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Series: Golden Knights lead 3-2
The Minnesota Wild, who last won a playoff series in 2015, are facing potential first-round elimination once again. The Wild lost the last two games to the Golden Knights, including a heart-wrenching 3-2 loss on Tuesday night.
"Our guys are obviously disappointed that we lost the game," Wild coach John Hynes said. "But there's a lot of belief in this locker room."
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy announced that forward Pavel Dorofeyev will miss Game 6 due to an undisclosed injury. He led the team with 35 goals during the regular season.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers
Where to Watch: Game 6, Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Series: Oilers lead 3-2
The Oilers remain unfazed by their precarious position, having become the third team in league history to win three comeback games after trailing 2-0 in their series. The resilience of the Oilers was evident in their 3-1 victory on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
"We play hard, we play fast, and we play for each other," Oilers forward Evander Kane said. "These games are for the taking."
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators
Where to Watch: Game 6, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT (TBS)
Series: Maple Leafs lead 3-2
The Ottawa Senators are pushing back after losing the first three games, having won two straight games. This marks the third straight postseason where a team has forced a Game 6 after falling behind 3-0 in their series. It's a testament to the unpredictable nature of the playoffs, and neither team is ready to throw in the towel just yet. "I don't think there's any panic in this room," Leafs forward Auston Matthews said. "We're just focused on winning the next game."
Sports writers Mark Anderson, Dave Campbell, and Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.
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- Despite the scoring glitch, media attention remains on Cale Makar, the prolific scorer for the Colorado Avalanche, as he aims to turn his game around in the Stanley Cup playoffs, specifically in the NHL.
- With the Dallas Stars leading the series 3-2, the media is keenly following the rivalry renewed between the Stars and Avalanche, with the NHL playoff potential hanging in the balance for both teams.
