DENVER (KTNV) — The Colorado Avalanche will be without one of the best defensemen in hockey to open the Western Conference Final.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar confirmed Wednesday that Cale Makar will miss Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights with an upper-body injury. The two-time Norris Trophy winner is considered day-to-day, and Colorado expects him to return at some point during the series.
Makar played through multiple injuries during Colorado’s second-round series against Minnesota, but did not practice leading into Game 1 against Vegas. His absence leaves a major hole on the Avalanche blue line for the opener at Ball Arena.
The 27-year-old won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during Colorado’s Stanley Cup run in 2022 and remains one of the league’s most dynamic players on both ends of the ice.
Colorado enters the series 8-1 this postseason and has already had 17 different players score a goal during its playoff run. Nathan MacKinnon leads the Avalanche with 13 points in nine playoff games.
For Vegas, there was at least some positive news surrounding captain Mark Stone. Stone returned to the ice Wednesday morning at Ball Arena, skating with the scratches for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury during the second round against Anaheim.
Mark Stone was back on the ice at Ball Arena this morning, skating with the scratches for the first time since the injury.
— Taylor Rocha (@TaylorRochaTV) May 20, 2026
John Tortorella wouldn’t offer an update afterward.
Stone’s status for Game 1 remains unclear. #VegasBorn #ForgedInGold
The Golden Knights still have not confirmed whether Stone will be available for Game 1. Coach John Tortorella declined to provide an update earlier this week, and the organization has remained cautious publicly regarding Stone’s status.
Vegas closed out Anaheim without its captain, winning the final three games of the series after Stone exited in Game 3. The Golden Knights have leaned on their depth throughout the postseason, including a recent scoring surge from Pavel Dorofeyev and strong play from goaltender Carter Hart.
The matchup marks the first playoff meeting between Colorado and Vegas since 2021, when the Golden Knights rallied from a 2-0 series deficit to eliminate the Avalanche in six games. Colorado has since won a Stanley Cup in 2022, while Vegas captured its first title in 2023.
Game 1 between the Golden Knights and Avalanche is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Ball Arena. 13 Sports Reporter Taylor Rocha is in Denver covering Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Final.
-
Golden Knights acquire defenseman Parker Wotherspoon in trade for Kaedan Korczak
Kaedan Korczak leaves Vegas for Pittsburgh, in exchange for Penguins D-man Parker Wotherspoon, VGK general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced.
One-on-one with new Henderson Silver Knights head coach Joel Ward
Channel 13's Alex Eschelman sat down with Joel Ward, who was introduced Monday as the next head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL.
FULL PRESS CONFERENCE: Joel Ward named newest head coach for Henderson Silver Knights
The Ontario native has spent his entire coaching career with the Golden Knights organization, serving as an assistant coach for VGK from 2023-26 and with the Silver Knights from 2020-23.
Golden Knights GM, director of scouting hold post-draft press conference
Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon and director of amateur scouting Raphael Pouliot hold a press conference after the 2026 NHL Draft.
