The Colorado Avalanche only played eight games in February due to the 4 Nations Face-Off break but ended the month with a 5-3-0 record. They are fourth in the Central Division with 74 points, 14 points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot. Who stood out in February 2025? In the third edition of the “Three Stars of the Month” series at The Hockey Writers, here’s a look at the three Avalanche players who deserve recognition.
3 Stars for February
Third Star: Martin Necas
Making his first 3 Stars appearance, Martin Necas has been a revelation. He has effortlessly stepped into Mikko Rantanen’s shoes after being brought in via the trade that sent Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in January, which was a massive task.
Taking over from a player like Rantanen — who has built years of chemistry with Nathan MacKinnon — is a significant challenge. Necas shined offensively in February, finishing the month with three goals and five assists in eight games, including game-winners in back-to-back games against the Calgary Flames on Feb. 6 and the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 7. Three of his five assists were recorded on the power play, including a game-winning assist.
Necas has only been with the team for 13 games and already has four goals and nine assists, including five on the power play. He has been thrown onto a line with MacKinnon and has not looked out of place. At times, he can’t get his shot off fast enough, but he makes up for what he lacks with his tremendous speed, excellent stick handling, and being an elite playmaker. With 20 goals and 48 assists this season, he is on pace to best his career high of 71 points set in the 2022-23 season.
Second Star: Cale Makar
Coming off an impressive January which saw him lead all defensemen in goals, Cale Makar continues to shine this season and leads the Norris Trophy race.
Makar finished the month with three goals and seven assists, tied with Erik Karlsson for the most points in February. Two of his three goals came at even strength, and he scored a short-handed goal against the Oilers on Feb. 7, his second short-handed goal of the season. He recorded seven assists on the power play, and five were considered game-winning.
Currently on a four-game point streak with five points in his last five games, Makar’s production has been phenomenal. With 22 goals on the season, he is on pace to break his previous career high of 28 set in 2021-22 and could become the first defenseman since Mike Green (Washington Capitals) in 2008-09 to score more than 30. With 68 points this season, he is 22 points away from tying his career-high of 90 set last season. He also leads all NHL defensemen in goals, assists, and points.
First Star: Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon finished February with four goals and eight assists for 12 points in a short month. All his goals came on the power play, including the game-winner against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26, where he finished with two goals and an assist. He also recorded two assists on the power play, and two were game-winning assists. He continues to be one of the most puck-aggressive players in the game, leading all skaters in February in shots on goal (38) and a shooting percentage (10.5%.)
MacKinnon continues to produce consistently, despite the team’s struggles with injuries on the power play — although it’s showing improvement — and losing Rantanen. With 23 goals and 70 assists this season, he might not match the career-high 51 goals he scored last season, but he can try to surpass his 89 assists. He is on pace to win his first Art Ross Trophy and could secure his second Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP.
The Avalanche played their first game in March against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, winning 4-1. Tonight, they host the San Jose Sharks in the second of 14 games they’ll play in March.
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