With only nine days left until the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche sit comfortably as the the no. 1 seed in the Western Conference. However, injuries have struck the team late into the season.
The most notable being star defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper body injury on March 30 against the Calgary Flames, and has yet to return to the ice.
Makar a top defenseman in the NHL, with an offensive upside, and 20 goals and 72 points in 71 games in 2026.
On March 28, Makar became the fourth-fastest NHL defenseman to record 500 points.
Now with another game against the Flames approaching and only five regular season games left, the Avalanche have lost yet another star player due to injury.
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Nazem Kadri Expected To Miss A Few Games With New Injury
ESPN reported that Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar stated that forward/center Nazem Kadri will “miss some games” on Thursday, April 9. “Bednar added the Avalanche hope to work him back into the lineup before the playoffs, maybe as soon as next week,” ESPN added in their report.
Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reported that Kadri suffered a finger injury in last night’s 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.
Rawal also stated in his tweet that Bednar does not think that playoffs are in jeopardy following Kadri’s injury.
The first game that Kadri is slated to miss is against his former team, the Calgary Flames. On March 6, Kadri was traded back to the Colorado Avalanche after spending three and a half seasons in Calgary.
Since Kadri returned to the Avalanche, he has scored nine points (four goals and five assists).
The 35-year-old has played 18 NHL seasons, 10 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and three and a half with the Flames and Avalanche.
He has 760 career points through 1062 games.
The Colorado Avalanche Are Only One Win Away From The President’s Trophy
Despite the Colorado Avalanche having already clinched the no. 1 seed in the Western Conference, they are still chasing one regular season feat.
The President’s Trophy is award to the NHL team that finishes with the best record during the regular season. The Avalanche currently have a 51-16-10 record with 112 points and a chance to secure the President’s Trophy for the fourth time in franchise history.
In their matchup on Thursday, April 9 the Avalanche face the Calgary Flames, who have been eliminated from playoff contention. The last time they met, the Avalanche soundly defeated the Flames 9-2.
With a win against the Flames, the Avalanche officially clinch the President’s Trophy and secure home ice in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Avalanche Receive Breaking Injury News On Star Forward Ahead Of Playoffs