Makar (upper body) is in the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in Vegas on Sunday, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Makar took line rushes with his usual partner, Devon Toews, during warmups after being deemed a game-time decision earlier Sunday. It's unclear if Makar is fully healthy, but he'll attempt to help his team avoid a 3-0 series deficit Sunday. Barring an in-game setback, the all-world blueliner should quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit. Nick Blankenburg is set to be a healthy scratch in Game 3 due to Makar's return.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Slated to be game-time call
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Makar (upper body) will be a game-time decision against Vegas on Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar has missed the last two games. He has compiled four goals, five points, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances this postseason. If Makar is available to return to the lineup, Nick Blankenburg will probably be a healthy scratch against the Golden Knights on Sunday.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Ruled out for Game 2
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Makar (undisclosed) will not be in action to face the Golden Knights in Game 2 on Friday, Eric Francis of Sportsnet reports.
Makar skated with the No. 1 power-play unit at Friday's morning skate, but it seems the 27-year-old blueliner still isn't ready to suit up. In the absence of Makar, Devon Toews figures to take on an increased role, including with the man advantage, and should be a player to target in daily formats. For his part, once Makar is cleared, he figures to return to being a 25-plus minute-a-night player.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Will miss Game 1
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Makar (undisclosed) is day-to-day and won't play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Makar's absence is a shocking development and one that's terrible for the Avalanche. Although it's been suspected that the defenseman hasn't been fully healthy, especially given his lack of practice time during the playoffs, Makar still appeared in Colorado's first nine postseason outings this year while averaging 24:59 of ice time, including 25:50 in Colorado's 4-3 series-clinching overtime victory over Minnesota in Game 5 on May 13. Makar's exit from the lineup coincides with Sam Malinski's projected return after missing two games due to an upper-body injury. Jack Ahcan might have been a healthy scratch if Makar was available, but it now looks like Ahcan will remain in the lineup.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Expected to play Wednesday
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Makar (undisclosed) is slated to play against Vegas on Wednesday in Game 1, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar hasn't practiced much during the playoffs and likely isn't fully healthy, but he should be available for the start of the Western Conference Finals. He hasn't missed a game yet this postseason, compiling four goals, one assist, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances.
Makar (undisclosed) missed Saturday's practice and is regarded as day-to-day, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
It is extraordinarily likely that Makar will play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. Makar is probably playing hurt and getting some much-needed rest in between series, but he won't miss games this important if there is any way at all to avoid being absent. The 27-year-old has four goals and nine points in 11 playoff outings this year while averaging 24:42 of ice time.
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Three points after injury scare
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Makar scored twice on three shots, added an assist, blocked two shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Wild in Game 1.
Makar missed a large portion of the first period due to an injury concern, which head coach Jared Bednar had no update on after the game, per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com. The fact that Makar was not only able to return to the contest but also contribute is a positive sign, even if he's not at 100 percent. He was the only one of the 14 different goal scorers to pot multiple tallies Sunday. Makar has four goals, one assist, 15 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating over five playoff contests.
Makar scored a goal in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
After going pointless in the first two games of the series, Makar has scored in back-to-back contests. The star blueliner, who was one of the most productive defensemen in the regular season with 20 goals and 79 points in 75 contests, should continue playing a big role for the Avalanche on offense in the second round.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Tallies in win
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Makar scored a goal on four shots, blocked six shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.
Makar was held off the scoresheet in the first two games of the postseason. He wasn't lacking in opportunities -- he's up to 11 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through three contests against the Kings in this first-round series. If the Avalanche make a deep run, Makar will likely be heavily involved in the offense. He's made the playoffs in every year of his career, and over the last seven postseason runs, he's better than a point-per-game player with 22 goals and 63 helpers over 79 outings prior to this year.
Makar recorded three assists in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.
Makar returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and he did it in style by contributing directly to each of the team's goals. Makar has been an elite fantasy contributor among defensemen, and this three-assist performance elevated his helpers total to 58 on the season, the fifth-best mark among blueliners. The only defensemen who have recorded more assists than Makar are Evan Bouchard (71), Quinn Hughes (69), Lane Hutson (66) and Zach Werenski (59).
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Poised to play
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Makar (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday versus the Flames, Conor McGahey of Altitude TV reports.
Makar was a full participant in Monday's morning skate, and it looks like he'll return Tuesday. The defenseman will be on the top pairing against his hometown team. Makar may still have his minutes managed since the Avalanche have nothing to gain by going all out in this contest.
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