Cale Makar will remain out of the lineup for Game 2 (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, Sportsnet and Sportsnet+) of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, Avs head coach Jared Bednar confirmed to reporters.
Makar also missed Game 1, which the Avalanche lost 4-2.
The star defenceman skated with the team Friday morning, but is still not ready to return as he works his way back from an upper-body injury he suffered late in Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild.
Makar appeared to suffer the injury on a reverse hit from Mats Zuccarello when he left the ice holding his right arm. He did return in that game as Colorado won in overtime.
His absence is a blow for the Avalanche. This is the first time Makar has missed playoff games for the Avalanche with an injury.
The Norris Trophy finalist has four goals and an assist while averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time through the opening two rounds. Makar is also an integral part of Colorado’s special teams.
“Best defenceman in the world,” Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor said before Game 1. “He’s not going to be easily replaced. There’s not one guy that’s going to be able to do it. I think the advantage we have with the group we have in the game tonight is a lot of guys can be minute-munchers for us.
“Cale presents a dynamic ability that is super-unique in the league. No one’s going to replicate that tonight, but it’s on the D-core as a whole, and our group as a whole, to try and pick it up when we can.”
— With files from the Associated Press