{"id":535041,"date":"2026-04-01T16:56:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T16:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/535041\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T16:56:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T16:56:17","slug":"avalanche-star-cale-makar-to-miss-games-due-to-upper-body-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/535041\/","title":{"rendered":"Avalanche star Cale Makar to miss games due to upper-body injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Colorado Avalanche will be without Cale Makar for a few games.<\/p>\n

Makar, who did not play in the third period on Monday against the Calgary Flames, is going to miss a few games, coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday. <\/p>\n

Makar\u2019s absence will begin with Wednesday\u2019s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. Bednar said on his weekly Altitude Sports Radio segment the team is trying to not play anyone through injury, and Makar got \u201cdinged up\u201d last game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to miss some time here. Nothing serious, though,\u201d Bednar said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear where Makar got hurt in the game against the Flames. With a little over 5 minutes remaining in the second period, Makar took a hit in the corner from 6-foot-8 Calgary forward Adam Klapka. It was not considered a dirty hit. Makar still managed to take two more shifts, including a power play shift where he picked up his third assist of the game. <\/p>\n

Makar has been durable. These will be the first games he will miss during the 2025-26 season. Depending on how much time he misses, it could put a dent in his Norris Trophy hopes, but the Avalanche are more concerned with going on a long run in the Stanley Cup playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"\"Pittsburgh Penguins center Noel Acciari, top left, scores a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood, right, as defenseman Nick Blankenburg covers in the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n

In 73 games, Makar has 20 goals and 75 points while averaging nearly 25 minutes per game. In his absence, deadline acquisition Nick Blankenburg will step into the lineup. Blankenburg has only dressed in three games with the Avalanche since being acquired prior to the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

As of Wednesday morning, Colorado\u2019s magic number to lock up the Central Division title was six. Any combination of the Avalanche picking up six points or the Dallas Stars dropping six points will give Colorado the top seed. Because the Avalanche play the Stars on Saturday, they could wrap up the division title by the end of the weekend, giving them the option of resting more players down the stretch.<\/p>\n


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