via Mark Kiszla of the Denver Gazette,

When Cale Makar mines Orr, we all strike gold.

Watching Makar do Bobby Orr things, as the 25-year-old Avs defenseman skated coast to coast with the puck velcroed to his stick, weaving through not one, not two, not three, but four Jets as if they were standing still and scoring a goal so sweet it deserved to be all 10 of ESPN’s top plays on this Sunday, the jaw dropped in disbelief.

Not my jaw, mind you. I was too busy slapping my forehead, trying to make sense of Makar’s magic.

I’m talking about the jaw of poor Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck. After he scraped his mandible off the ice of Ball Arena with the crowd going wild for Makar’s goal, this best-of-seven NHL playoff series was over.

Next!

Bring on Dallas or Las Vegas. Although the Jets remained one game from elimination after Colorado’s 5-1 victory, they’re already packed and ready for vacation in Cancun.

Asked to describe his score that drove a stake through Winnipeg’s heart, Makar went 100% hockey humble, insisting: “It was a little bit of a lucky one.”

Au contraire, young Mr. Makar. We’re the lucky ones.

Although I could sit mesmerized in my chair and watch Makar score the Avalanche’s third goal of Game 4 on a continuous loop all day, until I fell asleep and dreamed about it all night, let’s step back and take a look at the big picture, shall we?...

The best three defensemen ever to wear NHL sweaters? That’s a loaded question. While placing Orr at No. 1 is a truth that’s self-evident, I invite argument by selecting six-time champion Doug Harvey of the Canadiens’ dynasty at No. 2 and picking Detroit legend Nicklas Lidstrom over Ray Bourque third.

But given time and health, Makar will crack that top three. And sooner rather than later.

Watch the goal below.