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Avalanche dealt another brutal Cale Makar update ahead of Game 2 vs. Golden Knights
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- Avalanche dealt another brutal Cale Makar update ahead of Game 2 vs. Golden Knights
Avalanche dealt another brutal Cale Makar update ahead of Game 2 vs. Golden Knights appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Colorado Avalanche missed Cale Makar dearly in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Wednesday — and they’ll now try to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole without their superstar defenseman .
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Despite being spotted at Friday’s optional skate and taking reps on the first power-play unit, Makar will miss Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights , head coach Jared Bednar confirmed to reporters.
“He’s an important player, right? And he plays a lot,” Bednar said. “Some of the areas that we struggled with tonight, those are his strengths. But he’s not playing. So we have to find a way. I think the guys that we had playing tonight, not just the ‘D,’ but like, we’re capable of more and capable of better. It just wasn’t there for us tonight. We got to make sure it is for Game 2.”
There was legitimate optimism the Norris Trophy finalist could return Friday night at Ball Arena, making the update a tough blow for Avalanche fans ahead of a critical matchup.
Game 1 marked the first Stanley Cup Playoff contest Makar has missed in his NHL career, and Colorado will now be without him again with Vegas looking to take full control of the series.
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Jack Ahcan filled in for Makar in Wednesday’s loss, skating just over seven minutes while finishing minus-one. Nick Blankenberg, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1, could also factor into the lineup Friday night.
Makar, 27, has recorded four goals and five points in nine playoff games this spring while adding 22 shots on goal and 18 blocked shots. He’s averaging nearly 25 minutes per game — second on the team behind only Devon Toews (25:28).
“That’s a huge piece,” defenseman Josh Manson said. “You don’t replace a guy like that. We need guys to step and fill roles and you just do what you can. We’ve done it in the past with other guys out.”
Losing Makar for a second straight game is a massive blow for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche, who suddenly face real pressure against an experienced Golden Knights club.
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Makar finished third among NHL defensemen in scoring during the regular season, totaling 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games alongside a plus-32 rating.
The two-time Norris Trophy winner has already built one of the most impressive resumes among active defensemen, posting 507 points in 470 regular-season games along with 90 points in 88 career playoff contests. Makar also captured the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2022 while helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup.
The Avs looked vulnerable without Makar in Game 1, and now they face a must-respond moment Friday night without their most important defenseman once again.
Game 2 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Ball Arena.
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Related: Cale Makar spotted at optional Avalanche practice after missing Game 1 vs Golden Knights
