Makar credits Toews for 2nd straight NHL weekly award

The Avalanche’s Cale Makar was again showered with NHL praise on Monday when the high-scoring defenseman was named the league’s No. 3 star for the second consecutive week.

Makar, who has seven goals and 12 points in six games of his two-week tear, credited his teammates but also pointed to top-pair partner Devon Toews as the reason he’s had so much success of late. In points per game, Makar (1.25) and Toews (1.11) rank first and second among NHL defensemen.

Toews missed nine of the first 18 games while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Makar also had an off-season medical procedure and didn’t play a game in training camp. He had a slow start, including a minus-9 rating through his first four games.

Toews and Makar are both better when they play together.

Makar, who shoots right, leads the Avs in average ice time (24:07) and Toews (23:57), a lefty, is a close second.

“Taser’s just so consistent and so good,” Makar said Monday. “I always know he’s gonna be back there whenever I make a poor decision or jump up on the play. I think we read each other well and, likewise, I think it’s the transition game for us — we like to play fast and always keep our feet moving.”

Makar, who has 20 points in 16 games, leads all NHL defensemen in goals (nine). Toews has three goals and 10 points in nine games.

Makar is likely a shoo-in for Team Canada if the NHL sends its players to the Winter Olympics in February, and Toews might also be considered.

Mackinnon set to return. The Avalanche (11-6-1) will travel to Toronto on Tuesday morning and begin a five-game trip in eight nights on Wednesday, starting against the Maple Leafs. Colorado center Nathan Mackinnon, who has missed the past eight games with a lower-body injury, practiced in a regular jersey Monday and coach Jared Bednar said all signs point towards him playing in Toronto.

Footnotes. Defenseman Ryan Murray is out indefinitely, Bednar said. Murray was injured on his first shift Saturday just 11 seconds into the game. Forwards Andre Burakovsky (maintenance) and Valeri Nichushkin (illness) also didn’t practice on Monday. Bednar said Nichushkin tested negative for COVID. … Goalie Pavel Francouz, who suffered a lowerbody injury in the preseason and has yet to play this season, is expected to travel and possibly play on the trip.