Cale Makar Out for Game 1 as Golden Knights Vs Avalanche Opens
Cale Makar was out for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of golden knights vs avalanche on Wednesday at Ball Arena. The defenseman was day to day with an undisclosed injury as Colorado opened the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights without one of its top blueliners.
Ball Arena Opens Without Makar
The Avalanche had six days off since eliminating the Minnesota Wild, but the first shift of the Western Conference Final still came with a major lineup hole. Makar did not dress for Game 1, forcing Colorado to start the series without the defenseman who anchors so much of its blue line.
Martin Necas said the Avalanche were ready for what comes against one of the elite teams in the League. “Doesn't get much better than (this),” he said after the break, and added, “We had a nice rest, we got ready, and we're excited.”
Malinski And Lehkonen Return
Colorado did get back Sam Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen after both missed the final two games of the second-round series against the Wild with upper-body injuries. Malinski had 40 points in 82 regular-season games and three points in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games, while Lehkonen had six points in seven playoff games.
Jared Bednar said of Lehkonen, “He touches every aspect of our game,” and added, “Five-on-5, penalty kill, power play. He's a big-time playoff performer. A great two-way player. He just helps us a lot on all our lines where we need him against a team like Vegas.”
Stone Adds Another Variable
Vegas entered Game 1 expected to be without Mark Stone, who could miss his fourth straight game because of a lower-body injury sustained against the Anaheim Ducks during Game 3 of the second round. Stone had seven points in nine playoff games, giving the Golden Knights another lineup question in a series that opened with both sides adjusting on the fly.
John Tortorella said, “There is no updates on injured players,” leaving Vegas to manage its own uncertainty while the Golden Knights played in the conference final for the fifth time in their nine seasons in the League.
