Avalanche’s Cale Makar becomes second-fastest defenseman to reach 300 career points in NHL history

Makar scored his 300th point on Saturday in a game between the Avalanche and the Philadelphia Flyers. In the third period, he assisted on a power play goal for Mikko Rantanen, his 26th goal of the season. The Avalanche would win the game 7-4.

In 42 games this season, Makar has 10 goals and 44 assists for 54 points. He’s on pace to surpass his career high of 86 points (28 goals and 58 assists) that he reached in 2021-22, the same season he helped the Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup championship since 2000-01. He would also win the Conn Smythe Trophy that spring, as well as the James Norris Trophy.

Through five full NHL seasons, Makar has 75 goals and 225 assists for 300 points through 280 career games. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft spent two seasons dominating college hockey with UMass-Amherst, capped off with 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points in 41 games, winning the Hobey Baker Award for the best player in the country in 2018-19.

The Avalanche are now 30-14-3 after Saturday’s win, giving them 63 points and first place in the Central Division. The club gets a few days off before they host the Washington Capitals next Wednesday.