Recap: Colorado blazes past the Flames 9-2 as Cale Makar injured
· Yahoo Sports
After a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night, the Avalanche welcomed the Calgary Flames to town for the first of three regular-season matchups between these two teams. Colorado would come out on top tonight, as they completely put out the Flames by a final score of 9-2.
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The fun came at a price with Cale Makar injured in the second period after taking a hit behind the net. He continued on for a couple more shifts in discomfort and then was out of the game with an announced upper-body injury by the start of the third period. Given the score hopes of it being a precaution were evaporated when it was reported Makar went for further evaluation, which likely means imaging. Fingers crossed.
First PeriodHere’s a hi-def recording of the hit Makar takes from Klapka in the third. He took two more shifts and picked up an assist before leaving. https://t.co/V3xESAwhijpic.twitter.com/a7The84VK7
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) March 31, 2026
It didn’t take long for Colorado to open the scoring as Jack Drury would find the back of the net first tonight, as he was able to find the puck off a rebound from a Parker Kelly shot, and he put it home from a difficult angle.
Not long after Nazem Kadri would score his first of the night on a 5-on-3 to make it 2-0, off a great cross-ice feed from Martin Necas.
Again on the man advantage, Kadri would then score his second of the night after that from the same spot he scored his first goal, as a free puck bounced towards him, and he was able to beat the Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf.
Still in the first period Gabe Landeskog would make it 4-0 after that, off a great set-up from Brock Nelson, who found Landeskog down all alone in front of the Calgary net. This goal would end Wolf’s night who was pulled in favor of Devin Cooley.
That change in net didn’t matter as Parker Kelly would make it 5-0 before the end of the period, after that, as he was able to get a great tip on a shot from Cale Makar to finish a period of complete dominance for Colorado as they poured on 26 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes.
Second PeriodCalgary would get one back to start this period, as Brennan Othmann won a puck battle in front of the Colorado net, and was able to deflect an elevated puck up and over Scott Wedgewood to make it 5-1.
Nathan MacKinnon would get that one back for Colorado with less than a minute left in the period, as he converted on the power play for the Avs with a one-timer that beat the Flames’ netminder cleanly.
Third PeriodNecas would make it 7-1 to start the third period, with a phenomenal feed from MacKinnon, who was able to find him right in front of the Calgary net all alone.
Sam Malinski would make it 8-1 after that, as Kelly found him streaking into the offensive zone with a great pass, and Malinski would make a great move to continue Colorado’s dominant play that they kept up all game long.
Ryan Strome would make it 8-2 when the game was already incredibly out of hand, by getting down in front of the Avs’ net and finding a loose puck, which he was able to get past Wedgewood.
Finally, Artturi Lehkonen would score the ninth and final goal for Colorado tonight, as he won a puck battle in front of the Flames’ net, and tucked the puck past the goalie to round out the night. This game was more than over after the first period but after 60 minutes of play Colorado arrived at their 9-2 final score with a 49-29 shot advantage.
TakeawaysThis was such a dominant and fun game by the Avs. Obviously, the Flames are not a particularly strong team by any stretch, but Colorado went out, took care of business, and did exactly what they were expected to do and got the win. Now, were they expected to put up nine goals on Calgary and win in such a dominant fashion? Probably not, but I digress. It was awesome to see Kadri have two goals on the night against his former team. He’s been such an impactful difference-maker for this team since coming back from Calgary, especially on the power play, and he showed that here tonight, scoring both his goals on the power play for the Avs. Jack Drury and Parker Kelly both had themselves, each coming away with one goal and two assists, giving you contributions from your depth as well.
Colorado concludes this quick three-game homestand on Wednesday, April 1, against the Vancouver Canucks. Puck drop will be at 6:30 p.m. MT.