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Disaster strikes as Avalanche lose Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon

The Colorado Avalanche's worst nightmare came true on Thursday night in Ottawa, with two superstars leaving the game.
ByNestor Quixtan
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Jan 3, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) look on during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) look on during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The worst possible outcome came to fruition on Thursday night for the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs lost two superstars during the second period of the tilt with the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.

First, Cale Makar left the game following a hard stop during a 5-on-3 power play. Makar held the puck at the blue line and then fired a pass right when the play was blown dead for a penalty call on Nazem Kadri.

Makar immediately skated off the ice and headed down the tunnel to the room. He did not return.

Moments later, with the Avalanche coming towards the end of a 4-on-3 power play, Nathan MacKinnon took a crosscheck from behind, leaving him on the ice trying to get back on his feet. The trainer hit the ice, but MacKinnon was able to get up and skate off to the bench on his own. The TV broadcast captured the Avalanche superstar wincing in pain on the bench. He spoke with the trainers but did not return to the ice during the second, despite staying out on the bench.

MacKinnon did not return to the ice for the third period.

There is no word on what could be afflicting either Avalanche superstar.

Cale Makar dealing with a lower-body injury

It’s no surprise that Cale Makar has been dealing with a lower-body injury. He missed last Sunday’s practice, but played on Tuesday night. He seemed all right on Thursday night, but ended up leaving the game.

By the look of the play in which Makar left, it might be a question of a groin issue. If that’s the case, those injuries are notoriously difficult to heal. They often linger for a long time, and require a long time off to properly heal. Even then, there’s no telling when the ailment could be reaggravated.

It’s also worth pointing out that such injuries could return unexpectedly.

Hopefully, Thursday night was nothing more than an awful scare. Please bear in mind that teams are uber careful with superstars, and are quick to remove them from games before a potentially simple ailment escalates into something really concerning. If that’s the case, well, it might just be one of those things where fans end up seeing their blood pressure hit the roof.

In the meantime, please return to Mile High Sticking for the latest update on the injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

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