Overview
- Cale Makar suffered an upper‑body injury during Colorado’s second‑round clinching win, returned briefly in overtime, and has been officially ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Final.
- The Avalanche lost both home games and now trail the Vegas Golden Knights 0-2 with Makar absent from the lineup.
- Without Makar the team has struggled to exit its zone cleanly, its defense has broken down under Vegas’ forecheck, and the top power play has been less effective, factors that contributed to late goals in both losses.
- After Game 2 head coach Jared Bednar told reporters, “It’s gonna be Cale’s decision on if he’s coming back,” a public shift of responsibility that critics say downplays the training staff’s role.
- NHL analysts on X, including Cic Lombardi and Josh Yohe, criticized Bednar’s phrasing, and the Avalanche have given no definitive timeline for Makar’s return as they prepare to play Game 3 in Las Vegas.