Avalanche D Cale Makar out for Game 2 vs. Knights

Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar will miss Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Friday.

Makar, who also missed Colorado's 4-2 loss in Game 1 of the series on Wednesday, is nursing an upper-body injury. He was on the ice for an optional skate on Friday morning and took reps with the first power-play unit.

Jack Ahcan recorded a minus-1 rating in 7:34 of ice time in the series opener. Fellow defenseman Nick Blankenberg was a healthy scratch in that game, however coach Jared Bednar did not divulge which defenseman would play on Friday.

The Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings to begin the playoffs, then dispatched the Minnesota Wild in five games. Makar appeared in all nine games and ranks tied for second on the team in the postseason with four goals to go with one assist while averaging almost 25 minutes of ice time.

However, Makar departed Games 1 and 5 of the Minnesota series following big collisions, only to return both times.

Makar, 27, won the Norris Trophy given to the league's best defenseman in 2021-22 and 2024-25, and he is nominated again this season.

He won the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Avalanche captured the Stanley Cup four years ago.

Makar has 507 points (136 goals, 371 assists) in 470 career games over seven seasons with the Avalanche. He tallied 20 goals and 59 assists in 75 games during the 2025-26 regular season.

--Field Level Media