It’s time for Cale Makar to break out, the Avs need him

The last time Cale Makar scored a goal, the Colorado Avalanche were playing a different opponent.

Makar has been held to just three assists and no goals in five games against the St. Louis Blues. The Norris Trophy candidate notched 28 goals and 58 assists in 77 games this season. In five games against the Nashville Predators in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Makar scored three goals and added seven assists.

While only 44 games young, this stretch of five games is already tied for the second-longest postseason goal-scoring drought of the 23-year-old’s career. The run is only topped by a shortage that started during Makar’s second playoff game.

Had the Avs been able to survive another 56 seconds, Makar’s play wouldn’t be mentioned. But on the heels of Nathan MacKinnon’s dominance being spoiled by a last-minute-overtime-forcing goal by the Blues that Makar was on the ice for, it’s clear the defenseman needs to break out.

“Personally, I felt bad after the game,” Makar said Thursday to the Associated Press. “He (MacKinnon) put us on his back, and he should have won us that game. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get it. I felt like we let him down. … That’s Playoff Nate right there.”

The Avs may get through the Blues even if Makar doesn’t produce but they’re probably not winning the Stanley Cup unless Makar starts scoring again.

“There’s a lot of belief in this group,” Makar said.

Colorado is up 3-2 and are on the road for Game 6 on Friday.

While Makar hasn’t found the net, he paces the series in shot attempts with 132. The Blues leader in that stat is Justin Faulk with 83. Makar also leads the Avs in expected goals this series. So maybe it’s just a matter of time before Makar finds twine.

Scarier is that he and backend partner Devon Toews are allowing the most and highest-danger chances for the Avs. In truth, they’re on the ice more than anyone and face St. Louis’ top line, but it’s still concerning.

Game 5 was all about MacKinnon and how the Avs squandered his heroics. Maybe Makar, an Alberta native, is the hero required to send Colorado to the Energy Province.
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