Makar's Practice Absence Clouds Avalanche Blue-Line Depth for Vegas Series Opener

Cale Makar missed another practice session Tuesday as the Avalanche prepared for Wednesday's Western Conference finals opener against Vegas, though coach Jared Bednar offered cautious reassurance when asked about injury concerns. The 27-year-old Norris finalist exited Game 5 against Minnesota following a collision late in the second round but returned to the ice and helped close out the series in overtime. He's also briefly left the ice in earlier games after taking contact, yet has played through every postseason game while averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time across two rounds—a workload that carries risk when compounded by contact and the grind of back-to-back playoff hockey.

Makar's on-ice production has been steady rather than spectacular: four goals and one assist through 14 playoff games. That's a 0.36 points-per-game rate, solid for a defenseman shouldering heavy minutes, but what makes him irreplaceable isn't the goal tally—it's the leverage he carries on special teams and in transition. The Avalanche have gone 8-1 in the playoffs partly because their top-four defensemen can carry puck volume and initiate offense without creating defensive liabilities. Remove Makar from that group, and the burden shifts to depth pieces like Josh Manson, Devon Toews, and Jack Ahcan who excel in structured roles but weren't built for 26-minute nights.

Vegas enters this series with a power play ranked 15th in the postseason (20.0%), which means they'll be hunting for chances at even strength and on the penalty kill. If Makar is out or limited, Colorado's defensive play will become more predictable—fewer outlet passes from Makar's point, more reliance on perimeter skating and dump-and-chase retrievals. Vegas's forwards have shown an ability to generate chances off the rush; removing the player most capable of quarterbacking a controlled exit puts pressure on the other four defensemen to make faster decisions under that forecheck. Lehkonen's return to practice Tuesday offers a small offset, but forward depth doesn't solve a blue-line shortage.

From a prop standpoint, Makar's status creates asymmetry in how markets are pricing Colorado's team-total goals for Game 1. Books have likely already adjusted for the possibility of his absence—the line has likely compressed downward from what it would be if he were a confirmed full go. However, the market hasn't yet adjusted for a confirmed return, which is the more likely outcome. Bednar's phrasing ("No. Not yet" on concern) reads as a coach managing expectations, not signaling real doubt. If Makar returns to the lineup and is at full health—or close to it—Colorado's ability to control shot volume and pace against Vegas improves measurably. The Avalanche have generated 3.14 expected goals per 60 at even strength in the playoffs; that figure drops when their best transition initiator is sidelined or hobbled. A confirmed Makar status one hour before puck drop will move the total; sharps will be monitoring morning skate reports closely.