The Colorado Avalanche are suddenly staring at playoff elimination after entering the NHL‘s Western Conference Final as Stanley Cup favorites, and injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have become impossible to ignore.

Colorado trails the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in the series after collapsing in Game 3, where Vegas erased a 3-0 first-period deficit to win 5-3. The loss exposed deeper structural concerns for the Avalanche, whose confidence and composure have visibly faded as injuries pile up.

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Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman pointed directly at Colorado’s inability to adapt without its stars operating at full strength.

“I think the thing that really shocked me was how panicked at times Colorado looked,” Friedman said.

“Makar is clearly not 100%. MacKinnon got hurt in the game, and he was clearly not 100%, and it’s almost like the other players haven’t been able to find their way with them not at 100%.”

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) look on at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

MacKinnon suffered a right knee injury after blocking a shot from Shea Theodore in Game 3 and is officially day-to-day. Makar, meanwhile, continues to battle a lingering upper-body injury that has clearly limited his explosiveness.

Vegas is exposing the Colorado Avalanche’s lack of answers

The contrast between the two teams has become glaring. Vegas welcomed captain Mark Stone back into the lineup for Game 3, and the Golden Knights immediately looked energized and organized.

Friedman highlighted that difference, saying, “Whatever obstacle Vegas gets thrown in front of them, they’re like, ‘We’re gonna jump over that.’ Colorado, with these hurdles this year, they’re really struggling with them.”

That criticism feels accurate. Colorado’s system depends heavily on MacKinnon’s speed through the neutral zone and Makar’s ability to drive transition from the back end. When both players are compromised, the Avalanche suddenly look predictable and easier to pressure.

Vegas has exploited that weakness with an aggressive forecheck under coach John Tortorella, forcing turnovers and limiting Colorado’s clean breakouts.

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The Avalanche still owns elite talent, but their emotional response to adversity has become part of the story. Teams facing a 3-0 deficit in the conference finals are 0-49 all-time, and Colorado now looks like a club running out of healthy answers at the worst possible moment.