The President Trophy Cup Winner Colorado Avalanche, dropped Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2.
A notably key player was missing on defense for the Avs. Star defenseman Cale Makar, sustained an upper-body injury in March, that has lingered into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Despite getting on the ice for a morning skate ahead of Game 2, head coach Jared Bednar announced that Makar will not be in tonight’s lineup.
Bednar did not comment further on the extent of Makar’s injury.
This is obviously not great news, as the 27-year-old is not the first blue line injury the Avalanche have dealt with this postseason. Colorado is also 1-3 in the playoffs with Makar.
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Cale Makar Joined Colorado Avalanche For A Morning Skate Before Lineup News
Before the announcement that Cale Makar will be missing Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, the 27-year-old was on the ice before the rest of the team joined for a morning skate. This seemed promising for Makar, as he missed practice ahead of Game 1.
Colorado Avalanche beat writer Evan Rawal, shared to X that Makar headed into the locker room to change for the optional morning skate. Makar was a full participant during the skate, and Brent Burns was the only defenseman missing today. All what looked like good signs.
About an hour into the morning skate, Makar was seen talking to a trainer and did not stay on the ice with the team following their conversation.
So he’s not gonna stay on the ice with the team
He’s trying but I’m guessing he’s not quite there. It’s a guess
@AltitudeSRThirty minutes later, Makar was officially listed as out of the lineup.
Many fans are upset with Bednar’s decision to keep Makar out of the lineup, after it looked like he was “fine” in today’s skate. Troy Renck of the Denver Post shared a good point on X in defense of Bednar, Makar, and the Avalanche medical staff.
“No question Makar wants to play,” Renck wrote. “But this is why you have trainers and doctors to protect athletes from themselves. Just because Avs lost, it doesn’t make Makar heal more quickly. Have to treat symptoms. This is not a toughness issue. When gets on ice needs to be functional. Hopefully he plays. But have to be smart.”
Colorado Avalanche Blue Line Injuries
While Jared Bednar did not make any other lineup announcements, the Avalanche have had a wave of injury cruise through their defense this postseason.
Josh Manson and Sam Malinski sustained injuries during the Minnesota Wild Series, which were huge blows to the Colorado line. Malinski missed the final two games of the second round, but returned Wednesday night and had an ice time of 20:31.
Brent Burns was also dealing with an injury ahead of Game 1, but found himself in the lineup. However, the Avalanche have not had a completely healthy defense since their series against the Los Angeles Kings.
Bednar discussed the impact Cale Makar’s injury had on the team following their Game 1 loss against the Golden Knights:
“There’s definitely a trickle-down effect to that,” Bednar said of not having Makar. “But he’s not playing. We have to find a way.”
Bednar and the Avalanche look to even up the series against the Golden Knights in Game 2 at 6:00 P.M. CST in Ball Arena.
Colorado Avalanche Announce Breaking Injury News for Cale Makar Ahead of Game 2