Avalanche Defense Must Prove Their Worth In Cale Makar Absence

For most of these Stanley Cup playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche have had very little in the way of adversity. They swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, then disposed of an excellent Minnesota Wild team in the second round.

But in their current series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Avalanche have been without Cale Makar. The superstar defenseman missed Game 1, and the Avs lost that game (and home-ice advantage). And on Friday, the Avalanche announced Makar would miss Game 2.

That means it's time for Colorado's defense corps – and the rest of their very deep lineup – to step up and hold the fort so the Avs don't go down 2-0 in the series.

Avalanche Have A Bigger Problem Than Just Missing Cale Makar Vs. Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche D-man Cale Makar was out injured for Game 1, but the result might not have changed if he had played. The Vegas Golden Knights imposed their style effectively, like an elite boxer stepping into the ring.

But it isn't just on defense where Colorado needs players to step up in Makar's absence. Makar is also a main contributor on offense, posting four goals and five points in nine playoff games this year.

The Avalanche need more from left winger Valeri Nichushkin (two goals and four points in 10 games) and center Brock Nelson (two goals and three points in 10 games), and it'd help if established point-producers Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri and Artturi Lehkonen chipped in more offense.

Even Toews – who has seven assists and nine points – has another gear that he can reach offensively.

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The Avalanche's overall depth is being tested by the Golden Knights, and nothing short of a complete team effort will put Colorado in the win column.

Avs coach Jared Bednar is going to rely on the players he's succeeded with in the past, but Vegas also has its share of accomplished veterans. So it's on the Avalanche to show they can take the blow of Makar's absence and still be a strong squad.

Avs GM Chris MacFarland painstakingly built up his roster so Colorado could withstand adversity. And the Golden Knights are providing that adversity right now.

Makar is one of the best blueliners on the planet, and you're never going to adequately replace his services. But the Avalanche still have enough talent, not only to be competitive in the series, but to win it and move on to the Stanley Cup final.

If the Avalanche turn things around and eliminate Vegas, it'll be because they were resilient enough to deal with significant challenges and come out the other side stronger for passing the test. The Avs obviously aren't as potent without Makar as they are with him, but they can still get the job done and push into the Cup final.

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 3:48 PM.