Avalanche’s Cale Makar becomes NHL’s 9th defenseman to score 30 goals in a single season

COLUMBUS Ohio AP The Avalanche s Cale Makar scored against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night to become the NHL s ninth defenseman and the first with Colorado to reach the -goal plateau in a season The sixth-year performer is the NHL s first defenseman to reach the -goal mark since Mike Green of the Washington Capitals had in - Makar put the Avalanche up - by scoring a power-play goal with seconds left in the second period He was set up in the left circle for a one-timer by a pass from Nathan MacKinnon Colorado went on to win - and clinch a playoff berth for an eighth consecutive season Overall NHL blue liners have now combined to reach goals times led by Bobby Orr who had five -goal seasons Paul Coffey four and Denis Potvin three are the only others to have had multiple -goal seasons The list is rounded out by Ray Bourque Kevin Hatcher Phil Housley and Doug Wilson With the goal and two assists the -year-old Makar also increased his point total to matching the franchise record for defenseman he set last season In doing so he became the NHL s fifth defenseman to produce consecutive -point seasons and first since Coffey - to - and Al MacInnis - to - AP NHL https apnews com hub nhl