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Avalanche’s Cale Makar still on track for regular season return from injury
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- Avalanche’s Cale Makar still on track for regular season return from injury
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Avalanche's Cale Makar still on track for regular season return from injury appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Colorado Avalanche have clinched a playoff spot and are closing in on the Central Division crown. They have 110 points in 76 games, leading the Dallas Stars by eight points. But before they try to clinch their second Stanley Cup of this era, they have a big injury to monitor. The Avalanche are still expecting Cale Makar to return from his upper-body injury before the end of the regular season.
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"Jared Bednar said Cale Makar will likely miss 'a few more games' but still expects him to play before the end of the regular season," Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reported.
Makar last played on March 30 against the Calgary Flames , picking up three assists in 17 minutes of ice time. But after that game, the upper-body injury was revealed. They are 1-2-0 without Makar and are preparing to play their fourth game in his absence on Tuesday against the St Louis Blues.
The Avalanche do not have much to play for in the regular season anymore. They are on the precipice of clinching their division and home ice throughout the Western Conference playoffs. They are six points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes for the Presidents' Trophy lead.
The important part of the Makar injury rehab is making sure he is ready for playoff hockey. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, and Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He already has two Norris Trophies as the top regular-season defenseman and could add a third this year.
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The Central Division provides a tough path to the Western Conference Final. The Avalanche have lost to the Stars in each of the last two seasons, so cresting that hill and making it back to the Conference Final is a big goal for the team this year. They will need Makar to accomplish it.
Related: ClutchPoints' NHL Power Rankings, Week 24: Playoff races are getting just ridiculous
