The Avalanche said Sunday that Bednar had facial fractures and a corneal abrasion but is expected to make a full recovery without surgery. Assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol are expected to coach the team in the final two games of the regular season at Edmonton<\/a> and Calgary<\/a> in Bednar’s absence.<\/p>\n Bednar was taken to a hospital after being hit by a puck on his right cheek during a 3-2 overtime loss<\/a> to the Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>. A team spokesperson said at the time that Bednar was fully alert and conscious and went to the hospital for a CT scan and further evaluation.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks 1 Related<\/p>\n Bednar was standing behind the Colorado bench when a puck flew off the stick of Golden Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar<\/a>, over the boards and hit the coach with 16:39 left in the third period. He bent over holding the side of his head and was helped to the locker room by a trainer.<\/p>\n Hakstol took over Bednar’s duties for the remainder of the game.<\/p>\n “It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after the game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”<\/p>\n Colorado, with 115 points, clinched the top overall seed<\/a> for the postseason Thursday night. The playoffs begin next weekend.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/r1642210_683x683_1-1.jpg&w=130&h=130&scale=crop&location=center.jpeg\")
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