Makar named NHL’s Third Star of the week, but his focus remains on helping the Avalanche win

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was named the NHL’s Third Star of the week on Monday after scoring three goals and three assists in three games.

Makar, 21, helped the Avalanche win two straight games, scoring the game-winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday in Colorado’s last victory.

Makar is the first Avalanche rookie to be named an NHL star of the week since Matt Duchene in 2009. He is also just the third defenseman to receive weekly honors after John-Michael Liles (2010) and Tyson Barrie (2016).

Through 17 games, Makar has recorded 17 points, making him just the fourth rookie defenseman in NHL history to score at a point-per-game pace after 17 games.

“It’s an honor,” Makar said. “But at the end of the day, I don’t really care. We just gotta keep rolling here, it’s gonna be a tough road trip.”

The Avalanche begin their five-game road trip on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, where Makar will look to continue his three-game point streak.

“He’s been good, really good in some games,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “To see the numbers he’s put up after maybe not even being his best in all 17 games is incredible.”