Cale Makar stood before his Avalanche locker stall after the morning skate Monday in the glow of television cameras, reporters stacked four and five rows deep, with sweat glistening from rosy cheeks to discuss his NHL debut and the wild series of events that made it happen.

“I don’t think it’s fully sunk in for me yet,” Makar said, “and hopefully it doesn’t for a little bit.”

Makar, 20, replaced injured defenseman Sam Girard (upper body) on the Avalanche’s second power-play unit, plus a pairing with Patrik Nemeth at even strength, for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against Calgary at the Pepsi Center. He scored a goal on his first shot attempt only 16 minutes into the first period, handling a drop-off from forward Nathan Mackinnon in the high slot of the offensive zone and slipping the puck past the left pad of Flames goalie Mike Smith.

Makar’s previous 96 hours to puck drop Monday night? A complete whirlwind.

Friday: Won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s most outstanding player.

Saturday: Led University of Massachusetts to an NCAA championship game appearance (a 3-0 loss to Minnesota Duluth).

Sunday: Signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche.

“My first conversation with (Makar) was, ‘That’s in the past, and now we have to focus on what’s here,’ ” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I think he has the ability to turn the page pretty quickly. He’s a smart kid with a lot of character.”

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Makar called the journey “crazy,” a fitting description when adding in this fun fact: Makar was raised in Calgary as a diehard Flames fan and was 5 years old when they reached the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.

“It’s a weird feeling playing against the team you grew up loving,” Makar said. “But my allegiance lies with another team now.”

Avalanche players got their first up-close look at Makar during the early skate Monday. Building immediate chemistry will fall on all shoulders, especially fellow defensemen, if Makar is to create an immediate impact. He downplayed a difficult transition: “I don’t think the speed or anything will be too much of a challenge for me.” But Makar will still soak up every ounce of veteran wisdom on Colorado’s run toward the Cup.

“Keep it simple in the first game,” defenseman Erik Johnson said. “We know he’s a skilled guy. He doesn’t need to try to show it every shift. Just play your game and have fun.” Related Articles Avalanche’s Cale Makar wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year

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Makar, selected No. 4 overall in the 2017 NHL draft, begins his Avalanche career with tremendous expectations. His first test arrived on hockey’s grandest stage. The Avs beat Calgary 6-2 on Monday night to take a 2-1 series lead. Makar totaled 14:19 of ice time with one goal on two shots. It’s only the beginning.

“I want to give him some information, so he’s up to speed on how we play and what the series has looked like, but I don’t want to give him too much that we freeze him up,” Bednar said. “I want him to go play and use his instincts. That’s what he’s been great at his whole life. I don’t see tonight as any different.”