The Colorado Avalanche opened their second-round series against the Minnesota Wild with a high-scoring 9-6 win at Ball Arena.
Colorado built an early 3-0 lead, scoring three goals in a span of two minutes, then saw Minnesota respond with five of the next six goals to take a 5-4 lead. Shortly before the end of the second period, the Avs tied the game at 5-5 before scoring four goals in the third.
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was forced to exit the game less than five minutes into the first period after taking a hit along the boards from Marcus Foligno, with the blueliner logging just 1:11 time on ice before leaving.
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The Avalanche did not have clarity on Makar’s status for much of the first period, as he remained off the ice while Minnesota cut into the 3-0 deficit.
Makar, however, returned to the bench later in the period and took his first shift back in the second period, rejoining the lineup for the remainder of the game.
The Avs blueliner discussed his injury after the win over the Wild, and he didn't sound concerned about it.
“I was just trying to get back and feel good. It’s not fun when you kind of tweak something, but it happens. Got to be ready for it. I had to check a couple things out, make sure it was good to go. Felt good.”
Makar earning the first star of the game after scoring two goals and assisting on another. He logged 17:11 of ice time despite missing most of the opening period.
“Weird one. Kind of tough to get into a rhythm,” Makar said. “Tried to get back into it. I felt like we did a good job of that. It was just such a weird game in terms of the flow of it. Obviously, you don’t want to miss that time, but it is what it is.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET in Colorado.
