The latest Cale Makar injury update is no bueno for the Colorado Avalanche. The reigning Norris Trophy winner will miss Game 2 vs the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night as part of the Western Conference Final.
Makar missed Game 1 with an upper-body injury. As we have discussed earlier, it’s likely Makar is playing through a separated shoulder. He was well enough to play in the first two rounds. However, the hit he took in Game 5 against Minnesota more than likely reaggravated the injury.
Coach Jared Bednar revealed the Cale Makar injury update following Friday’s morning skate, ESPN reported.
Makar has been skating with the team and has not been wearing a red sweater. So, there’s plenty of reason to believe he could play, but keeping him out is likely a precaution.
The Avalanche will play Game 3 in Vegas on Sunday night. That timeline would give the two-time Norris Trophy winner about three extra days to recover. However, the extent of the injury is not quite known.
It would be surprising if the injury were rather complicated. Perhaps the Avalanche are just acting out of an abundance of caution. Even though stars play through gruesome injuries in the postseason, the Avalanche are likely thinking a few moves ahead.
In particular, the club is likely hoping to get past the Golden Knights in Round 3, even if it is without Makar, and then have Makar ready for the Stanley Cup Finals.
If that’s the plan, the rest of the Avalanche blueline will have to pick up the slack. Sam Malinski stepped into Makar’s role in Game 1 alongside Devon Toews and did not look out of place. The only mystery is who will draw the assignment as the sixth defenseman.
Jack Ahcan once again dressed on Wednesday night, but only played for under eight minutes. Meanwhile, Toews played nearly 28 minutes, with Brett Kulak clocking over 23.
The club recalled Alex Gagne on Friday. So, there could be a chance that he’ll get a look on the third pairing alongside Alex Manson. While now is not really the time to experiment with lines and defense pairs, the situation warrants some improvisation.
The Avalanche will be looking to tie the series at home before going on the road for Games 3 and 4.
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