The absence of Cale Makar has become the biggest reason the Colorado Avalanche suddenly find themselves trailing 0-2 heading into Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.
Cale Makar’s status for Game 3 is still uncertain, but Wayne Gretzky made it clear that even in the playoffs, players cannot rush back before they are fully ready to play.
Wayne Gretzky Raises Concern Over Cale Makar
Before this postseason, Makar had never missed a playoff game because of injury in his NHL career. Losing a player who logs over 25 minutes a night and controls virtually every aspect of Colorado’s transition game has completely disrupted the Avalanche system.
Makar suffered the injury during Game 5 of Colorado’s second-round series against the Minnesota Wild after an awkward late collision left him grabbing his right arm.
Although he participated in the team’s optional skate on Thursday and was back on the ice Friday morning, the Avalanche ruled him out ahead of Game 2. His availability for Game 3 is up in the air.
Speaking about the situation on NHL on TNT, Gretzky made it clear just how irreplaceable Makar is for Colorado. “If they don’t get Cale Makar back, I’m not saying they can’t win, but you don’t replace Cale Makar,” Gretzky said.
Gretzky also discussed the reality of playing through injuries during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the risks that come with rushing a star player back too early. “You always play through injuries in playoffs, right? That’s just part of it,” Gretzky said, “I remember one year we won the Stanley Cup, Kevin Lowe broke his wrist and played with a cast on his wrist the whole final series. That’s just part of it. But if Cale Makar can play, he’ll play.
“If he’s too badly injured, they’re not going to A] risk it, or B] want him to be out there when he’s not at 100%. You can play at, I don’t know, I’m just guessing numbers, 75%, 80%, 90%, but anything 50% and below, you just can’t go out there,” he added.
Gretzky indicated that Cale Makar appears to be battling a shoulder injury and warned that one heavy hit could easily worsen the problem and potentially end his playoff run.
He also noted that Colorado’s coaching and medical staff have to be extremely careful with any decision to bring Makar back, because opposing teams would immediately test him physically the moment he returns.
Makar’s importance to Colorado goes far beyond traditional point production. He drives the Avalanche breakout, quarterbacks the power play, and handles massive defensive responsibilities in every key moment.
Without him, Colorado’s blue line has looked vulnerable, forcing younger defensemen into much bigger playoff roles against one of the NHL’s deepest offensive teams.
Now, with the series shifting to Vegas and the Avalanche already facing a dangerous 2-0 deficit, all eyes remain on whether Makar will be healthy enough to suit up for Game 3 and how much he can contribute with time running out for Colorado to salvage this series.
