The Colorado Avalanche enter the Western Conference Final with a significant question mark on their blue line.
Defenseman Cale Makar, who has been playing through an upper‑body injury throughout the playoffs, saw the issue reaggravated in Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild.
Makar’s status and the replacement
Coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Makar is listed as day‑to‑day and is showing signs of improvement, but the team will be without him for the opening contest.
To fill the void, rookie defenseman Jack Ahcan will draw into the lineup, providing a fresh option on the second pairing.
The Avalanche will host the Vegas Golden Knights at 6 p.m. Mountain Time at Ball Arena, a venue that has become a fortress for Colorado during the postseason.
The matchup pits a Colorado team that has survived a grueling series against the Wild against a disciplined Vegas squad that has advanced with relative ease. While the absence of Makar removes a key offensive spark from the blue line, the depth of the Avalanche’s roster and the home‑ice advantage could offset the loss.
Fans will be watching closely to see how Ahcan adapts to the high‑stakes environment and whether the Avalanche can maintain their momentum without their star defenseman.