 At the end of the regular season 1982–82, an opponent slashed his arm with his stick, causing a major injury, and Makarov was not able to recover fully before the play-off finals against IFK Helsinki, which Jokerit lost 3–2.One might speculate if Jokerit would have fared better in the finals, had Makarov been healthy throughout the series.The following year Makarov still played for Jokerit, but his play was visibly less energetic.