Aarif Deen
The Avalanche will once again not have Cale Makar in the lineup in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed on Friday.
Makar played through an upper-body injury in the first two rounds of the playoffs. It’s likely related to a shoulder injury he sustained late in the regular season, and it was reaggravated in Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild. In Game 5, Makar played nearly 26 minutes but was in and out of the lineup after a collision with Mats Zuccarello, which seemed to give his shoulder more discomfort. He did not record any shots on goal that night.
Bednar confirmed Makar’s absence after morning skate. The superstar defenseman skated before the team on Friday before taking part in some drills after a brief stint in the dressing room.
Nick Blankenburg came off the ice early, which likely means that he’ll re-enter the lineup in Makar’s absence, replacing Jack Ahcan on the third pair. Ahcan dressed in the final two games of the Minnesota series when Sam Malinski was hurt and remained in the lineup in Game 1 when Malinski returned, but Makar was ruled out.
Bednar would not confirm the change.
The Avs host the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 2 at 6 p.m. MT at Ball Arena.