Superstar defenceman Cale Makar says the Colorado Avalanche will learn from a wild Game 1 to begin the Western Conference Final.
What: Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche, Western Conference Finals Game 2
Where: Ball Arena, Denver
When: 01:00am, Friday 3rd June, 2022
How to watch: TNT or bet365 Live Stream
Odds: EDM Oilers 31/20, COL Avalanche 4/7
The Avalanche, 5/6 to win the Stanley Cup, tied their record for goals in a play-off game to beat the Edmonton Oilers 8-6 on Tuesday, with Makar stating their performance wasn't ideal for future success.
Despite outscoring the offensive powerhouses over 60 minutes, Makar - who had a goal and two assists - warned the Avs that they cannot continue to trade chances with a team who have the top two-point scorers in the play-offs - Connor McDavid (29) and Leon Draisaitl (28) - and the top goal-scorer Evander Kane (13).
The 14-goal scoreline was the second highest in a conference or Stanley Cup Final in play-off history.
Makar fires defensive warning
Makar said to the media ahead of Game 2 of the series in Denver on Thursday: "I think as a group we can be better defensively.
"I mean, it's obviously tough when the game opens up, but at the end of the day we learn from this and then we move on to Game 2. Definitely not the way you want to play games with these guys."
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Makar ranks sixth for points in the play-offs with 16 (four goals, 12 assists) in 11 games. Colorado have eliminated the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues to reach the conference final.
In the regular season, 23-year-old Makar amassed 86 points (28 goals, 58 assists), a franchise record by a defenceman helping Colorado to win the Central Division (56-19-7).
For a second season running, he has been named a finalist for the Norris Trophy awarded to the NHL’s best defenceman.
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