Cale Makar is now public enemy No. 1 in Seattle.
The Avalanche defenseman has been suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a late hit on Kraken forward Jared McCann during Monday's Game 4.
In a series that had been lacking the typical playoff physicality and intensity, Makar provided that bad blood.
McCann got a breakaway attempt in the first period of the game. His shot was deflected up and out of play, with Makar behind him on the backcheck. As the two went into the corner, Makar laid a hit on the unsuspecting Kraken forward a good two to three seconds after the puck was gone.
Makar's called for a major, but after review it's reduced to a minor for interference pic.twitter.com/VqtkQGP58n
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) April 25, 2023
The play was initially ruled a five-minute major, however, after the officials reviewed the play and reduced the infraction to a two-minute minor for interference.
McCann left the game and did not return. Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said the 40-goal scorer is out for Game 5, and likely longer.
"That puck goes immediately out of play, straight up into the netting," Hakstol said in regard to the Makar hit. "I believe the puck is being caught by a fan as [McCann] is being run into the end wall. Late hit. Really late. No puck in play."
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Seattle went on to win the game 3-2 in overtime thanks to a game-winning goal by forward Jordan Eberle. The first-round series is now tied 2-2 with Game 5 set for Wednesday in Denver.
Cale Makar suspension details
Makar was handed a one-game suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety following a bearing on Tuesday. He will not be available for Game 5.
This is the first time the Avs defenseman has been suspended by the league.
Makar explained after the game that he was unaware of where the puck was and thought that the two were going into the corner for a puck battle. That's why he made contact with McCann well after the Kraken forward's shot attempt.
Cale Makar: “I didn’t feel like I tried to finish him that far. I feel like if I was in that scenario they would have done the exact same thing. I’m not trying to hurt anybody.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) April 25, 2023
He said he wasn’t sure where the puck was and thought McCann was going to the corner for the puck.
It's the second suspension handed out already in the playoffs. Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting was given a three-game ban for a high hit on Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak.
