Makar Stars in Hometown as Avalanche Rout Winless Flames 7-3

Cale Makar picked a fitting stage to deliver his best performance of the young season. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman scored twice in a three-point night in his hometown of Calgary on Thursday, powering a 7-3 rout of the winless Flames.

Makar wasn't alone in the scoring spree. Devon Toews and Jaden Schwartz each struck twice, while Nathan MacKinnon added a goal and two assists as Colorado won for the third time in four games to start the season. Scott Wedgewood made 26 saves to earn the victory in his 200th career NHL appearance.

The Avalanche broke the game open in the second period. After Toews opened the scoring late in the first and Adam Klapka quickly equalized for Calgary, Toews netted his second at 6:45 of the middle frame before Makar and MacKinnon struck within minutes of each other to make it 4-1. Makar and Schwartz added goals early in the third, and although Mikael Backlund and Kevin Bahl briefly gave the home crowd hope with goals 71 seconds apart, Schwartz's second of the night sealed the rout with just over ten minutes remaining.

The loss dropped Calgary to 0-4-0, outscored 23-6 through four games and sitting at the bottom of the league standings. Colorado, meanwhile, has now won 15 of its last 19 meetings with the Flames.