Cale Makar was due.
Back in the Avalanche lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury, he spurred Colorado’s offense to action after a dismal start to the second period. By the third, missed chances were piling up against the defiant Coyotes, always more a headache than they’re supposed to be.
Makar kept creating and got rewarded with the game-winning goal in a 3-1 Avalanche bounce-back Friday night at Ball Arena. With Mikko Rantanen screening Arizona goalie Karel Vejmelka, Makar snapped it from between the circles, giving Colorado the lead with 13:19 remaining.
“Just trying to get pucks to the net,” Makar said.