Makar misses Avalanche practice, status unclear for Game 1 of West Final

DENVER -- Cale Makar did not take part in practice on Tuesday, missing a third on-ice session since the Colorado Avalanche advanced to the Western Conference Final.

Is there concern that the defenseman might miss Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights here on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC)?

“No, not yet,” coach Jared Bednar said after the brisk 50-minute practice.

The Avalanche will hold a morning skate on Wednesday, but it likely will be optional, so it is safe to say that the all-world defenseman will be a game-time decision.

Defenseman Sam Malinski and forward Artturi Lehkonen, who each missed the final two games of the five-game victory against the Minnesota Wild in the previous round due to an upper-body injury, practiced and seemed ready to play.

While those additions will be welcome, the fate of Makar is pressing. 

Makar hasn't practiced much during these playoffs, and there is speculation he may not be fully healthy. Yet, he hasn't missed any of the nine games, totaling five points (four goals, one assist), 22 shots on goal and 18 blocked shots. He is averaging 24:59 of ice time per game, second on the team behind defenseman Devon Toews (25:28).

“If he can’t go, it is what it is,” fellow Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson said. “That’s a huge piece. You don’t replace a guy like that. We need guys to step and fill roles and you just do what you can. We’ve done it in the past with other guys out.”  

The Avalanche have dressed eight defensemen in the playoffs, with depth defensemen Nick Blankenburg and Jack Ahcan asked to jump in due to injuries to Manson and Malinski.

That depth is one of the things that has made the Avalanche such a threat, both in winning the Presidents’ Trophy for having the NHL’s best regular-season record (55-16-11) and winning eight of their first nine playoff games against the Los Angeles Kings and the Wild.

Toews pointed to the second round, when Manson missed the first three games with an upper-body injury in addition to Malinski’s absence later in the series, which ended on May 13.

“When we won (last round) we went 7-8 deep,” Toews said. “Sammy was hurt and we had guys step in. That is what we need, is guys to step in. Jack and ‘Blanks’ did that and did a really good job of it. 

“Hopefully we get Sammy back in the lineup. He’s such a good part of our offense, creating offense from the back end with his puck moving and his skating ability.”

The Golden Knights, the Pacific Division champions, are a far different challenge than either of the Avalanche’s first two opponents, especially the Wild, who did not have top defenseman Jonas Brodin or two-way forward Joel Eriksson Ek against Colorado due to injuries.

Malinski has been a key part of the defenseman group this season. He has three points (one goal, two assists) and is plus-7 in seven games in these playoffs. In the regular season, he had 40 points (eight goals, 32 assists) and was plus-43, playing all 82 games.

On the chance Makar can’t play, Malinski knows that some of the workload will fall on him. The 27-year-old said he will be ready, as will the other defensemen.

"Yeah, I mean, I don't know if pressure is the right word,” Malinski said. “We're all going to have to play a little bit more and we'll be challenged with different situations. I might have to (play on the) penalty kill or whatever it is. But, yeah, I wouldn't say we feel pressure. We're just going to have to step up."