Cale Makar did something an NHL defenseman hasn’t accomplished in 34 years

Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar is seemingly always making history.

He did it again on Wednesday night versus the Dallas Stars.

Despite the Avalanche’s frustrating 2-1 loss in a shootout, a game in which they largely outplayed the Stars, Makar had the team’s only goal.

It was his 20th on the year and the third straight season he’s accomplished the feat. Makar became the first NHL defenseman in the last 34 years to pull that off, joining the likes of Phil Housley and Al MacInnis.

Cale Makar scored his 20th goal of the season, becoming the first defenseman to post three consecutive 20-goal seasons since Phil Housley (six, 1986-87 to 1991-92) and Al MacInnis (three, 1989-90 to 1991-92) both did so 34 years ago pic.twitter.com/yo4UtFk65q

— Brendan McNicholas (@bmcnich) March 19, 2026

It just doesn’t happen in today’s modern NHL where defenseman are this big of a lethal scoring threat. And Cale Makar clearly is, lighting the lamp at least 20 times over each of the last three campaigns.

After the game I asked head coach Jared Bednar about Makar’s success and beating Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, someone he struggled against last year in the playoffs.

Bednar gave a thoughtful answer and defended Makar against any critics at the 5:30 mark below.

🗣️Jared Bednar on the Avs effort against the Dallas Stars:

"It was overall one of our best efforts that we've had in a long time, against a team that's right there."#goavsgo | Driven by: https://t.co/UPNaXWj1mh pic.twitter.com/R89GVtln5G

— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports) March 19, 2026

“There’s been time in the year where I hear ‘Cale’s having an off year,’ whatever.” Bednar said. “Well he’s having an off year with 20, however many goal he’s going to score. It’s like, okay the expectations that the guy’s going to get three points every night just cause he’s done that in the past at times.”

Makar could still win yet another Norris Trophy, locked into a tight race with Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski for the honors.

Regardless, Cale Makar is having another excellent season. Scoring 20 goals as a defenseman is very hard to do. And he pulled it off yet again with still another month in the season to go.

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