Cale Makar's Historic Night Helps Avalanche Clinch Playoff Berth, Defeat Blue Jackets 7-3

Clinching in Columbus

The Avalanche punched their ticket to the playoffs for the eighth-consecutive season after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. Cale Makar became the first defenseman since Mike Green in 2008-09 to post 30 goals in a season and joined Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Charlie Coyle as Avs with three-point nights.

“We’re obviously really happy that we secured that spot," Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said. "That’s the first step and the first goal that you set in training camp. It takes a long time to get here and a lot of hard work. But, [I’m] proud of our guys for accomplishing that and doing it under tough circumstances coming in here tonight on the back-to-back.”

With the win, the Avalanche improved to 47-26-4.

How It Happened

MacKinnon opened the scoring at 3:25 of the first period with his 31st goal of the season via a right-circle shot after cutting across the ice.

Columbus' Sean Monahan tied the game at 6:35 of the first period.

Nelson gave the Avs a 2-1 lead at 18:05 of the first period with his 24th goal of the season via a shot from the bottom of the right circle.

Zachary Aston-Reese tied the game at 4:16 of the second period and Boone Jenner gave the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead at 7:56 of the middle frame.

Scoring his first tally with the Avs, Coyle tied the game with his 16th goal of the season via a right-circle wrist shot off the rush at 12:39 of the second period.

The Avs took a 4-3 lead at 14:02 of the second period when Kelly scored his eighth goal of the season with a one-timer from the slot.

Makar posted his 30th goal of the season when he doubled Colorado's lead with a power-play tally at 19:22 of the second period via a right-circle one-timer set up by MacKinnon.

Toews scored his ninth goal of the season to give the Avs a 6-3 lead at 4:01 of the third period via a left-point wrist shot. With the primary assist on the goal, Makar posted his 90th point of the season which ties his career-high and the single-season franchise record for points by a defenseman he set last season. Makar became the fifth defensemen in NHL history to post consecutive 90-point seasons and the first blueliner to do so since Paul Coffey (1988-89 to 1990-91) and Al MacInnis (1989-90 to 1990-91).

"[He's] a defenseman that doesn't cheat it on the defensive side of things," Bednar said about Makar. "[He's] responsible, has a solid 200-foot game, and then is able to go and do the things that he does offensively and score 30 goals. That's pretty special, and it hasn't happened in a long time and I get the feeling like he's gonna be able to do it more than once. So this is his start of it and I like seeing the growth in his game over the years he's been with us and how he's turned into a great leader for us and our guys follow him and that's certainly the type of season that inspires people around him."

Miles Wood scored his third goal of the season to give the Avs a 7-3 lead at 5:49 of the third period via a shot from the right doorstep.

Next Up

The Avalanche conclude their road trip on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues at 5 p.m. MT on Altitude and Altitude+.