Avalanche Announce Cale Makar News After Missed Practice Before Game 3
Through six games of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche have been just as good as advertised, with the team going 6-0 while holding a differential of +14.
Following their sweep of the Los Angeles Kings, the team are now up 2-0 on their Central Division rivals the Minnesota Wild, and with 14 goals through the first two games of the series, the Avalanche's offense is humming. While there are many people to credit for that, superstar blue liner Cale Makar is primary among them, with 4 goals, 5 points and a +6 goal differential through 6 games thus far.
Unfortunately for Colorado, he clearly hasn't been at 100%, as he was limited to just 17:11 TOI in Game 1 against Minnesota, and while he bounced back with 24:06 played in Game 2, there has been question marks over his health. Those questions only grew louder after he missed morning skate on Saturday ahead of a critical Game 3 in Minnesota.
However, head coach Jared Bednar has now confirmed that No. 8 will be in the lineup for the game, and while he didn't elaborate much on what was ailing his star defenseman, he confirmed that he's good to go.
Cale Makar, who didn't skate this morning, is good to go tonight, per Bednar. He wouldn't announce his starting goalie (but I'd assume it's Wedgewood, who was first off the ice) or whether Josh Manson will return. Manson stayed on late; my guess is Blankenburg stays in the lineup
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) May 9, 2026
In two road games thus far in the post-season, Makar has 2 goals and a +2 differential, and after the team shelled Jesper Wallstedt for 8 goals on 42 shots in Game 1, they'll look for the same result on the road in this game. With a healthy Makar, the Avalanche are the clear favorites to come out of the Western Conference in 2026, and while he's battling through something, as of right now, it doesn't appear to be effecting him enough for him to sit out a game.
Related: Wild Make Major Decision on Jesper Wallstedt Before Game 3 vs. Avalanche
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 2:09 PM.