Tag: Cale Makar

NHL fans were furious Cale Makar was called for a minor after a brutal Jared McCann cheap shot

NHL fans think Makar deserves a suspension for this.

Could Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar get a suspension for a late hit on Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann on Monday?

It’s theoretically possible. As you’ll see in the video below, the hit is for sure dirty. After McCann missed on a breakaway and the puck goes out of play, Makar nails McCann into the boards.

But the penalty was initially deemed a major and then changed to a minor after review. Why? It’s hard to tell. McCann skated off the ice, hurt, and Makar was allowed to play in what ended up as a Kraken win in overtime.

And fans were furious.

Something to think about: Makar doesn’t have a history of dirty play. He’s actually known for being pretty classy.

Still, check out the reaction below:

A classy Cale Makar amazingly got referees to wave off a penalty called against an Islanders player

What an amazing display of sportsmanship.

I’m with every NHL fan on Twitter. Shut down the race for the Lady Byng Trophy — given to the player who exhibits the most sportsmanship — right now.

And give the award to Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar.

Here’s why: On Monday night, Makar appeared to get tripped up by a New York Islanders player and a referee immediately called a penalty. But Makar started waving his hand at the ref, explaining that he had slipped and wasn’t tripped by Matthew Barzal.

Sure enough, the referee waved it off. WOW. Who does that? Can you imagine any athlete in any sport doing this? I can’t:

Here’s what Makar said about it. He said he doesn’t plan on doing that again … and that he felt bad about it:

So classy. And trust me when I say we’re probably never seeing this kind of sportsmanship again in any sport when it comes to correcting a bad call against your opponent.

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Avalancheā€™s Cale Makar, the best player on the best team, was the only logical choice for Conn Smythe

The best player on the best team. The math here was easy.

The Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1 to win the Stanley Cup on Sunday night, and their return to glory never would’ve happened if not for one man.

We’re talking about Colorado’s (-115) Norris Trophy defenseman and their inarguable best player. That same incomparable player who is now the official winner of the 2022 Conn Smythe Award (awarded annually to the NHL postseason MVP): the 23-year-old wunderkind blueliner, Cale Makar.

Here are some fun facts about Makar’s first Conn Smythe:

  • Makar becomes just the third defenseman in NHL history to win the Norris and the Conn Smythe in one season after the Bruins’ Bobby Orr (1970, 1972) and the Red Wings’ Nicklas Lidstrom (2002) previously managed the rare feat.
  • His 29 points are the fourth-highest ever by any defenseman during the postseason
  • Makar is the youngest defenseman to win the Conn Smythe in 52 years, with Orr first winning it at 22

Makar winning this year’s Conn Smythe should be no surprise to anyone who’s paid attention to Colorado’s exploits all year long. He was their catalyst when the Avalanche finished first in the Central Division and the Western Conference during the regular season. He was not only their premier shutdown man playing almost half of every game but their primary offensive initiator for a team that loves to get out and skate in transition.

When it came time for the Avalanche to make some memories in the postseason, it was business as usual for Makar — who continued his excellence seamlessly.

Colorado powered through a postseason slate of opponents that featured such stars as Roman Josi, Vladimir Tarasenko, Connor McDavid, and Nikita Kucherov, specifically because of Makar. Whenever the Avs needed an answer for any sort of play in his own end or as the de facto quarterback on offense, Makar was there in a pinch. Their forwards like Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog might get all the headlines, but it’s Makar who stirs the drink.

No team goes 16-4 throughout a postseason, especially one as chaotic as the NHL’s, without a budding all-time great on the blueliner. And that’s what Makar is — a budding all-time great.

The young defenseman got his first Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe this year. Given how his magnificent career has started, they almost certainly won’t be the last.

Here’s how NHL fans reacted to Makar’s historic, deserved Conn Smythe victory.

Conn Smythe rankings, Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Cale Makar in line for more greatness

The NHL’s leading superstar defenseman will likely get even more flowers.

After the high adrenaline, controversial mess that was Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Friday night at Ball Arena will mark the first time the Cup will be in the building for someone to take home.

That team is, of course, the Colorado Avalanche, which holds a commanding 3-1 series lead after its contentious overtime winner. Should Colorado dispatch the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, they will have won their first Stanley Cup in over two decades. I can practically feel the goosebumps forming on my forearms.

With the Avs on the brink of such greatness, the underlying debate over who is most responsible for their playoff success will only heat up through the evening. Odds-makers with Tipico Sportsbook have a clear idea about a certain Colorado defenseman, but by no means are his teammates out of the picture for the postseason MVP award.

Let’s examine the current odds for the Conn Smythe with the Avalanche one win away from the Cup.

Conn Smythe tracker after Stanley Cup Final Game 2: Can anyone dethrone Cale Makar?

Makar could soon be the king of the Cup champion.

Oh boy, after that complete evisceration, where do I even begin?

Let’s try this: On Saturday night, the Avalanche and Lightning took each other on in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, and Colorado took a 2-0 series lead. Cale Makar had–

Hmm, no. I feel like I’m underselling it.

Another attempt: On Saturday night, the Avalanche (-160) positively demolished the two-time defending Cup champion Lightning, 7-0. They got off to a fast start, never looked back, and continued to enjoy more Blink 182.Ā  The series feels over, and Colorado is the NHL’s new overlord.

Ah, there, that’s better.

With the Avs now two wins from the Cup, the discussion around their playoff MVP, the Conn Smythe winner, will only heat up. I have to say: I’ll be surprised if anyone snatches it from a superstar like Makar. The man at the forefront of one of the great team defensive performances we might have ever seen.

But, you never know. Let’s see where the race for the Conn Smythe stands after two games of the Cup Final. Spoiler alert: A big Avalanche has fallen on this list.

Conn Smythe tracker after Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Cale Makar is NHL’s next great D-man

We could be looking at the NHL’s next special blueliner.

Every great NHL team has two common characteristics: at least one great No. 1 center and at least one great No. 1 defenseman.

The Colorado Avalanche are in the Stanley Cup Final against the two-time defending champs in the Lightning (-1.5), so it’s obvious they’re pretty good. But they wouldn’t be here, and they wouldn’t be three wins away from the franchise’s first Cup in more than two decades if it weren’t for their top center Nathan MacKinnon and top defenseman Cale Makar.

As we get set for the rest of this potential barnburner of a series, it’s these two superstars who lead the way for the NHL’s top postseason honor: The Conn Smythe Trophy.

But before this series gets really heated, who else is in line for the prestigious award? Let’s dive in!

Stanley Cup Final 2022: Cale Makar has best odds to win Conn Smythe Trophy ahead of Lightning-Avalanche

Who will win this year’s award?

What do back-to-back titles get you outside of praise, hardware and your name etched in the history books? Apparently not the backing of sportsbooks ā€” the Tampa Bay Lightning open the 2022 Stanley Cup vs. the Colorado Avalanche as the underdogs despite their aforementioned consecutive titles.

But make no mistake about it, Colorado has earned its label as the favorite. The Avalanche secured the second-most regular-season wins (56) and have a 12-2 postseason record that includes two series sweeps.

Such success has been keyed by defenseman Cale Makar and center Nathan MacKinnon. Makar’s +180 odds at Tipico Sportsbook to win the Conn Smythe Trophy are the shortest of all players, while MacKinnon’s +210 odds rank second.

2022 Conn Smythe Odds

  • Cale Makar (+180)
  • Nathan MacKinnon (+210)
  • Andrei Vasilevskiy (+400)
  • Nikita Kucherov (+400)
  • Steven Stamkos (+1300)
  • Mikko Rantanen (+1300)
  • Gabriel Landeskog (+2000)
  • Victor Hedman (+2000)

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Behind the two Avalanche players is Tampa Bay’s goaltender and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, whose +400 odds are tied with teammate Nikita Kucherov for the third shortest.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup will begin Wednesday, June 15th as the Lightning look to three-peat and the Avalanche (-155) try to secure their first title in over 20 years.

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Stanley Cup Final prop bet payday: 4 prop bet predictions for Game 1

Highlighting 4 prop bet predictions for Game 1 of the 2022 Stanly Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche.

The Tampa Bay Lightning throw down against theĀ Colorado AvalancheĀ in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+).

Below, we list the best value prop bets from Tipico Sportsbook‘s 2022 Stanley Cup Final Game 1 oddsĀ and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Lightning are flirting with history trying to become the first team to threepeat since the New York Islanders won from 1980-84. Colorado, the heavy favorite, has an infusion of young talent that appears ready to hoist the Cup and start a dynasty of its own.

Stanley Cup Final prop bets for Game 1

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 12:13 p.m. ET.

Starting off Game 1 HOT: Nathan MacKinnon & Steven Stamkos to both score BOOSTED (+500)

Stamkos scored 5 goals in the Eastern Conference Finals and netted a goal in 4 of 6 games. The Lightning scored 31 goals in the series, and Stamkos accounted for 31% of them. He also scored 1 goal in 2 games against Colorado in the regular season. There’s a lot to like on his side of this wager. MacKinnon had a tough series against the St. Louis Blues as he scored in 1 of 6 games, but he scored in 7 of the 8 games in the other two series. He had 1 goal and 2 assists against Tampa in the 3rd game of the regular season. This is a solid bet where $10 can return $50.

Conn Smyth Trophy Winner – Nathan MacKinnon (+210)

Avs D Cale Makar (+180) is the favorite, and he has 4 more points than MacKinnon in the playoffs. However, MacKinnon has had more impactful moments. That goal he scored, coast to coast, to tie the game against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 would have been iconic if they hadn’t lost that game. MacKinnon has the ability to put the team on his back, whereas Makar is a super-gifted player that just pitches in more often than most. If the Avs win, it’s because of the playmaking and game-breaking ability of MacKinnon.

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Colorado Wins Series 4-2 (+425)

Barring injury, Tampa doesn’t have enough offensively to beat the Avs, and they’ll expend so much energy defensively trying to contain them it will prove too much. That said, Tampa has lost only once on home ice in the playoffs. They will lose another, maybe in Game 6 to decide it. If you want to hedge and put a wager on Colorado Wins Series 4-1 (+380) for some leeway, you’ll still be ahead if either of them cash.

Avalanche (in regulation) & Over 5.5 (+230)

Our Kevin Erickson pegged this a 4-3 Avs win, and that seems pretty reasonable. Colorado is the highest-scoring offense in the playoffs at nearly 5 goals per game, but it has had a lengthy layoff as well and will face its biggest task in Lightning G Andrei Vasilevskiy. We should see 6 goals and an Avs win in Game 1.

If youā€™re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

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7 important players to watch during the 2022 Stanley Cup Final

The stars will be out in full force in the Stanley Cup Final.

The stars will surely be out for the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

Between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche, there is talent galore in this NHL playoff finale with history on the line. The Lightning have won back-to-back Stanley Cups with a third in a row looming large if they can win four more games.

Standing in their way, however, are the Avalanche, who have been denied time and time again to get to the later rounds of the playoffs but finally succeeded this year. These two teams were two of the best in the NHL all season long, and this Stanley Cup Final promises to be an explosion of talent not seen in some time.

And yet, which players should you be paying the most attention to? Here are the seven most important players you need to watch during the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

An obscure offside rule on a Cale Makar goal for the Avalanche confused NHL fans

Does anyone even know what offside is anymore?

Does anyone really know what offside is anymore in the NHL?

The Western Conference Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers began on Tuesday and the first period was everything we were hoping for. Goals aplenty! Back and forth action! A controversial call to end the period! Wait what?

With time winding down in the first period with the Oilers and Avalanche tied 2-2 — mere seconds after Edmonton tied the game — Cale Makar came storming back to regain the lead for Colorado. While it was an incredible momentum shift, and a beautiful goal as well, the tiebreaker was then challenged by the Oilers for potentially being offside.

Here’s how the play went down.

Wait, the goalĀ wasn’tĀ called offside?

Yes, an obscure ruling in the NHL’s rulebooks is the reason why Valeri Nichushkin isn’t offside on this play by Makar. The Avalanche defenseman pushes the puck across the blue line, but doesn’t touch it until after Nichushkin has gotten back onside, making the play a very quick tag up scenario and allowing the goal to stand.

Talk about a weird one. NHL fans, on the other hand, were quite confused and astounded at why that call stood.