The Colorado Avalanche are the first team to book a spot in the second round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs after their swift dismantling of the Nashville Predators in just four games. That series ended Monday night with a 5-3 victory by Cale Makar and the Avs on the road.

Speaking of Maker, the defenseman was simply superb in the Predators series, to the point where Predators were throwing candies at him, whether out of disgust that their team couldn't stop him or out of feeling downright helplessness.

Via Peter Baugh of The Athletic:

Cale Makar said fans threw Skittles at him in the last minute at the game. He said it was a great atmosphere until that point.

“Couple Skittles were hitting me in the play.”

Makar did not go full Marshawn Lynch on those Skittles, but he ate up the Predators all series long. He led all players in the series with 10 points on three goals and seven assists. (No other player from either side had more than six points.) During Monday's series clincher, Makar earned first-star honors by burying a goal to go with a pair of assists.

Now, Makar and the Avalanche will have the luxury of spending a few extra days of rest, as they await their next opponent, which would be the winner of the series between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues that is currently tied at 2-2.