Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar will miss Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, the team announced Tuesday. Makar, a key player for the Avalanche, is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The absence of the Norris Trophy winner is a significant setback for Colorado as they open the best-of-seven series on the road.
Makar sustained the injury during Game 4 of the second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. He was seen limping off the ice after a collision with Wild forward Yakov Trenin. The Avalanche have not provided a timeline for his return, listing him as day-to-day.
Coach Jared Bednar expressed confidence in the team's depth. "We have a lot of capable players who can step up," Bednar said. "It's an opportunity for others to take on bigger roles."
The Avalanche will rely on defencemen like Devon Toews and Samuel Girard to fill the void. Makar led all Avalanche defencemen in playoff scoring with 12 points in 10 games. His absence could shift the series dynamics against a strong Vegas team.
Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights are also dealing with injuries but are expected to have a full lineup.
