Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Friday that defenseman Cale Makar will miss Game 2 of the Western Conference Final [1].
As a cornerstone of the Avalanche defense, Makar's absence creates a significant void in the team's transition game and power-play efficiency during a critical playoff series. The team must now rely on its depth to maintain momentum against the Golden Knights.
Bednar said the update during a press conference at the team's home arena in Denver. The announcement comes ahead of Game 2, which is scheduled for May 23, 2026 [4].
"Cale is dealing with a lower‑body injury and won’t be able to play in Game 2," Bednar said [5].
The injury occurred during Game 5 of the second-round series [6]. Makar has already missed one game in the current series due to the same injury [7].
Bednar said the coaching staff is preparing to pivot their strategy. "We’re disappointed, but we have depth and we’ll adjust our game plan," Bednar said [2].
Medical staff are monitoring the defenseman's recovery to determine when he can return to the lineup. Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the Avalanche medical director, said the priority is the player's long-term health over immediate availability.
"He’s a big part of our defense, but his health comes first," Hernandez said [3].
“"Cale is dealing with a lower‑body injury and won’t be able to play in Game 2,"”
The loss of a premier defenseman like Makar forces Colorado to shift more minutes to their secondary defensive pairings, potentially reducing their offensive output from the blue line. While the team has depth, the absence of a top-tier playmaker during the Western Conference Final increases the pressure on the remaining core to prevent the Golden Knights from gaining a decisive series lead.
