Cale Makar Out for Game 1 of Western Conference Finals Against Vegas

The Colorado Avalanche, who finished the regular season with the best record in the NHL, face a significant challenge as they prepare for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. Star defenseman Cale Makar will not suit up for the pivotal matchup due to an upper body injury, a decision confirmed by head coach Jared Bednar on May 20.

While Makar was initially listed as day-to-day, concerns about his availability for the series against Vegas had been mounting. Teammate Sam Malinski expressed the impact of Makar’s absence, stating, “You can’t replace him, and we’re going to miss him out there. Yeah, hopefully we can still get it done without him.” His remarks suggested an understanding of the uphill battle the team faces without their standout defenseman.

Makar previously sustained an injury during Game 5 of the Avalanche’s series against the Minnesota Wild but managed to return to that game. Many fans had anticipated that the time off would be sufficient for the Norris Trophy winner to recover, but it appears he requires more time than expected. Currently, there is no definitive timeline for his return, though fans can take solace in the fact that Makar was spotted skating alone during practice on Wednesday morning, indicating a potential return sooner rather than later.

The specifics of Makar’s injury remain undisclosed, with the team only confirming that it is upper body-related. There is speculation that a collision with Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman may have contributed to the injury, as Makar was seen holding his shoulder and arm after the hit.

Game 1 of the Western Conference finals is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action live on ESPN. Should Makar’s recovery progress, he may have the opportunity to return for Game 2, set for Friday, May 22, at 8 p.m. ET.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.