Makar is ‘Ready to Go’ for Game 1 Against the Stars

It’s playoff time, and the Avalanche are hyped to get going against the Dallas Stars. Cale Makar and the rest of the team are “excited, ready to go.” The puck is scheduled to drop at 6:55 p.m. MT at American Airlines Center.

Head coach Jared Bednar did not reveal any information on his lineup after morning skate, which is standard for him in playoff mode. But the superstar defenseman is a definite with his D-partner, Devon Toews, against a highly skilled team.

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“They do basically everything really well. They’re so good on the defensive side and then very opportunistic and capitalize when you have the smallest chances. So for us, it’s going to be a really tough test. Got to make sure everybody’s on the same page and working together,” Makar said.

Hockey players are creatures of habit and depend heavily on a game-day routine. While the playoffs add another level of emotion and pressure, Makar does not change his game-day preparation.

“Obviously the prep work as a team is a little different, more focused on certain things, but as an individual you got to be the same guy and make sure you just elevate your game,” the 26-year-old blueliner said.

The Avs are dialed into their series but that doesn’t keep Makar’s attention away from other playoff series’ going on.

“Usually watch all the other series. I love just watching hockey. So it’s fun, and there’s going to be some really good series. I think this year, it’s pretty even everywhere. There’s no teams that are really above anybody. So it’s going to be a test for a lot of different teams,” Makar said.

Colorado won two of the three matchups against the Stars in the regular season and is favored to win Game 1.