Cale Makar attends Avalanche optional skate, status unclear for Game 2

Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar has skated two days in a row.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is his status for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final remains unclear.

The Avalanche fell 4-2 on Wednesday night without Makar against the Vegas Golden Knights and now trail the series 1-0. It was the first game of the postseason Makar has missed as he deals with apparent hip and shoulder injuries. Colorado had been 5-0 in the postseason in games in Denver.

But Cale Makar was on the ice at Family Sports Center on Thursday as the Avalanche held an optional skate in between Games 1 and 2. He appeared to be moving well, just like at morning skate the day before.

Cale Makar on the ice at the Avalanche Practice Facility on Thursday afternoon pic.twitter.com/5OYuFHovrm

— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports) May 21, 2026

After the skate head coach Jared Bednar had no concrete updates about Cale Makar. That’s not unusual for this time of year as injuries stay mostly a mystery.

“We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Bednar told reporters.

And tomorrow is a massive Game 2 for the Avalanche. Win and the series with Vegas is tied 1-1 and things feel back on track. Lose and crawling out of an 0-2 hole, especially dropping two games at home, feels like a monumental task.

In nine playoffs games Makar has four goals and one assist and has averaged 24:59 of ice-time per game. Obviously Colorado misses his offensive prowess and defensive dominance.

It’s a huge loss to be playing without a Norris Trophy finalist in the Western Conference Final, especially when Makar is a consensus top-5 player in the world and the best defenseman in the NHL.

The status of Cale Makar will be monitored every day, with another update coming on Friday after morning skate ahead of Game 2.

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