Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar’s participation in the opening game of the Western Conference finals remains uncertain following his absence from Tuesday’s practice session, marking the third time he has skipped practice since their previous playoff series concluded.
Team officials have not revealed any specific injury details regarding Makar, who has participated in every playoff contest this season. When Colorado coach Jared Bednar was questioned about whether Makar’s potential absence from Wednesday’s Game 1 in Denver against the Vegas Golden Knights was worrisome, his response was cautiously optimistic.
“No,” Bednar stated. “Not yet.”
The Avalanche, who captured the Presidents’ Trophy, eliminated the Los Angeles Kings with a clean sweep to open their playoff run, then knocked out the Minnesota Wild in five contests. Makar has suited up for all nine postseason games and leads the team’s defensemen with four goals and one assist while logging nearly 25 minutes per game.
Despite his consistent presence in the lineup, Makar left both Games 1 and 5 during the Minnesota series after absorbing significant hits, though he managed to return in both instances.
“If he can’t go, it is what it is,” veteran Colorado defenseman Josh Manson commented. “That’s a huge piece. 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.”
The 27-year-old Makar captured the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2021-22 and 2024-25, and remains a nominee for this season’s award. Throughout his seven-year career with Colorado, he has accumulated 507 points on 136 goals and 371 assists across 470 games. During the 2025-26 regular season, he recorded 20 goals and 59 assists in 75 appearances.
Colorado forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski, who sat out the final two games against Minnesota, returned to full practice participation on Tuesday.
