Avalanche’s Makar returns for Game 3 against Golden Knights

Much-wanted news for the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

During warmups before the third game of the Western Conference Final between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights, it was announced that Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar would be in the lineup, making his debut in the series.

Makar has missed the first two games of the series against the Golden Knights, and it has certainly hindered the Avalanche against the more physical, structured Vegas team. In the first game last week, while Colorado generated more scoring chances than the Golden Knights, the team made some mistakes in their own end, falling behind 3-0 by the early stages of the third period. Despite a valiant effort, the Avs came up short of tying the game, losing 4-2 and relinquishing home-ice advantage.

The Avalanche had a great chance to win Game 2 on Friday night, but squandered a lead in the third period, allowing three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 loss, and a 2-0 deficit in the best-of-seven series.

Sam Malinski took Makar’s spot on the top pair alongside Devon Toews. It was tough sledding for the 27-year-old. While he averaged 20:35 across the first two games of the series in Denver, the 27-year-old was a -3 across the two games. He’ll be in a lesser role with Makar’s return, falling back to the second pair with Brett Kulak. Malinski has scored a goal and three points in his first nine appearances in these playoffs.

It wasn’t disclosed what exactly is ailing Makar. He played the first nine games of Colorado’s run in the postseason, registering almost 26 minutes of ice time in the clinching Game 5 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Round 2. However, speculated shoulder and hip injuries have been enough for the Norris Trophy winner to be absent at a crucial time of the season.

Through the first two rounds, the Calgary native has scored four goals and five points, with a +5 rating while averaging a hair under 25 minutes of ice time per game.