Cale Makar is already touted as a modern defenceman unlike any other. On Tuesday night, he took that to a whole other level.
With the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks in overtime, Makar corralled the puck in the corner of the offensive zone, swung around the net looking like he might lay a pass to the point, before quickly pulling a spin-o-rama to stun Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach and leave him in the dust.
Makar then darted to the net and went backhand, forehand, backhand, top-shelf on future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury, winning the game, to top it off. His 14th goal of this season already.
Most defencemen can only dream of scoring 14 goals in a season, but 14 goals in 25 games? Most forwards can only dream of that. Makar is doing the unthinkable, and could very well run away with the Norris Trophy at season’s end.
Not since Mike Green’s 31 goals in 2008-09 have we seen something like this, and even that total looks in jeopardy of being shattered. Green wasn’t scoring them with spin-o-rama dangles either.
Did we mention that Makar is only 23?
On a team stacked with talents like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, it’s Makar’s incredible display of skill sending the hockey world into a frenzy. And it certainly won’t be the last time.
Here’s some of the best reactions from Tuesday night:
We're all still watching the Cale Makar goal on repeat right?
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 5, 2022
POV: cale makar is skating toward you pic.twitter.com/Ndn6VhMZao
— Juliana Nikac (@juliananikac) January 5, 2022
Cale Makar is not real life.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 5, 2022
“I’m gonna hit the brakes and he’ll fly right by.”
-Cale Makar (probably) pic.twitter.com/ejfqkYmesG
— Nate Lundy (@natelundy) January 5, 2022
Tired: Cale Makar for the Norris
WIRED: CALE MAKAR FOR THE HART
— Mark Springer: Radio Machine (@MarkAMark) January 5, 2022
Cale Makar does things on the ice no other defenseman can, example 349 pic.twitter.com/1o2E0TaW0v
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) January 5, 2022
ALL HAIL CALE
WHAT A GOAL pic.twitter.com/UrNzNTPNdJ
— Allie Monroy (@AllieMonroy_) January 5, 2022
Makar didn’t seem to understand what all the fuss was about.
Cale Makar on his goal: "It was a little bit lucky, to be honest."
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) January 5, 2022
Right… nothing but luck on that play.
Meanwhile, Makar’s move was so devastating people were concerned for Dach after he was undressed.
pour one out for kirby dach, he’s not dead but cale makar broke both his ankles
— Lauren Kelly (@laurkelly24) January 5, 2022
Chicago injury report tomorrow:
Kirby Dach -> IR (Ankles)
Marc-Andre Fleury (Groin)
Every other player (Jaw)Cale Makar is savage.
— Jonathan Taylor Thomas the Tank Engine (@Avalangelist) January 5, 2022
If someone in section 322 could return Kirby Dach's jockstrap, would be much appreciated pic.twitter.com/wPpKE2EwIv
— Chel Squared (@ChelSquared) January 5, 2022
This is the NHL equivalent of being posterized. Kirby Dach will be haunted by highlight shows for at least another decade. https://t.co/TF0hVKtxnw
— Andrew Wadden (@andrewwadden) January 5, 2022
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