Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar missed Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.
Head coach Jared Bednar announced the decision after the morning skate, as Makar continues to recover from an upper-body injury sustained in the second round.
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The star defenseman also sat out Game 1 on Wednesday, which the Avalanche lost 4-2. Without Makar, the team struggled to exit their own zone and generate offense.
Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, averages a team-leading 25 minutes of ice time per game.
His absence disrupts the transition play that top forward Nathan MacKinnon's line relies on.
Forward Nazem Kadri highlighted Makar's impact. "What doesn't he do?"
Kadri said. "The puck-moving — he likes to break the puck out himself.
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As forwards, I know I can find some space and get the puck."
In the regular season, Makar recorded 20 goals and 59 assists in 75 games. He has added four goals and one assist in nine playoff appearances this year.
For Game 1, Bednar inserted defenseman Jack Ahcan into the lineup, but Ahcan logged only nine shifts.
The coaching staff leaned on veterans Devon Toews, Brett Kulak, Brent Burns, Sam Malinski, and Josh Manson. Bednar did not disclose defensive pairings for Game 2.
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The series moves to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday.
