Cale Makar stood before his Avalanche locker stall after morning skate Monday in the glow of television cameras, reporters stacked four and five rows deep, with sweat glistening from rosy cheeks to discuss his NHL debut and the wild series of events that made it happen.
“I don’t think it’s fully sunk in for me yet,” Makar said, “and hopefully it doesn’t for a little bit.”
Makar, 20, will replace injured defenseman Sam Girard (upper body) on the Avalanche’s second power-play unit, plus a pairing with Patrik Nemeth at even strength, for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs versus Calgary at the Pepsi Center.