Cale Makar’s Weird Fall and Resilient Return Fuel Avalanche’s Game 1 Win

Key facts

• Cale Makar scored two goals in Game 1, including a wrist shot that made it 8–6 in the third period.
• Makar missed a large portion of the first period after an awkward hit and fall against the Wild’s Marcus Foligno.
• He was seen on the bench working on his hip with a medical glove and trainers before returning.
• Makar logged substantially less ice time than usual in Game 1.
• He joined Devon Toews at the post-game press conference, visibly exhausted but engaged.
• Makar said of the hit, ‘I tried to absorb it, just a weird kinda fall there.’
• The Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 8–6 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

A Wrist Shot and a Weird Fall

Cale Makar unleashed a wrist shot for his second goal of the night, pushing the Colorado Avalanche to an 8–6 lead in the third period of Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild. The goal capped a personal comeback that began hours earlier, when an awkward hit sent his skates flying overhead and left him crashing to the ice. Makar missed a large portion of the first period after the collision with Wild forward Marcus Foligno. He returned to the bench only at the end of the period, where trainers worked on his hip using a medical glove.

‘It Is What It Is’: Makar’s Post-Game Exhaustion

After the game, Makar was a surprise selection for the post-game press conference alongside defenseman Devon Toews. He appeared visibly fatigued, a stark contrast to his usual bright presence even after grueling playoff contests. ‘Yeah, it was a weird one,’ Makar said of the game’s flow, adding, ‘it is what it is.’ When asked if he considered not playing, he replied, ‘Not really, I was just trying to get back and feel good.’

The Hit That Raised Questions

Fans and pundits speculated that the issue was hip-related after Makar took the hit from Foligno early in the first period. Makar described the sequence: ‘I tried to absorb it, just a weird kinda fall there, and I tried to kinda back out of it as I saw he was kinda coming at me.’ He acknowledged the injury as a ‘tweak,’ saying, ‘Um, yeah, it’s not fun when you kinda tweak something, but again, it happens, you gotta be ready for it. So, um, had to check a couple things out, make sure it was good to go, and yeah, felt good.’

Impact on the Series and the Wild’s Physical Strategy

The Wild had built a physical narrative in anticipation of the series, and Foligno’s hit exemplified that approach. Makar’s ability to return and score two goals, however, underscored his resilience and the Avalanche’s depth. Despite logging substantially less ice time than usual, Makar made his presence felt. His second goal, a crafty wrist shot, helped seal the win and put Colorado up 1–0 in the second-round matchup.

What Comes Next: Game 2 and the Goaltending Question

The Avalanche face the Wild in Game 2 with a chance to take a commanding series lead. One lingering question is the goaltending situation: how many of the eight goals against Minnesota’s Scott Wedgewood were truly his fault? The debate, while not a full-blown controversy, adds pressure on the Wild to adjust. Makar’s health will remain a focus. He said he was ‘on the lookout for runs,’ suggesting the Wild’s physical game will continue. For now, Colorado’s star defenseman has shown he can absorb a hit—and still deliver a game-winning shot.

The bottom line

• Cale Makar scored twice in Game 1 after returning from a first-period injury caused by an awkward hit from Marcus Foligno.
• Makar was seen on the bench receiving hip treatment from trainers with a medical glove.
• He described the injury as a ‘tweak’ and said he never considered sitting out.
• The Avalanche won 8–6, taking a 1–0 series lead over the Minnesota Wild.
• Makar’s resilience highlights Colorado’s depth and the Wild’s physical strategy in the series.
• Goaltending questions loom for Minnesota after allowing eight goals in Game 1.