Panic for Avalanche as Cale Makar Exits With Upper-Body Injury

That's the story out of Denver. And it shifts the tone fast.

Makar didn't come out for the third period after his final shift at 19:25 of the second. The Avalanche were already in full control, but his absence stood out immediately.

This wasn't a quiet night before the exit.

Makar had already piled up 3 assists and logged 17:15 through two periods. He was driving the power play and dictating pace from the blue line.

His last touch? A clean setup to Nathan MacKinnon on the man advantage.

That goal pushed Colorado to a 6-1 lead heading into the third.

Up to that point, Makar was everywhere. First unit power play, top pairing minutes, and constant puck movement through the neutral zone.

The Avalanche didn't need to push him further with that scoreline. But this doesn't look like a simple rest call. An upper-body injury always raises questions, especially this late in the schedule.

Because Makar isn't just another piece on this roster. He drives breakouts, quarterbacks the power play, and eats heavy minutes in all situations.

If he misses time, the entire structure shifts.

Colorado's blue line depth will get tested. More minutes for the second pair. More pressure on puck movement from the back end.

And on the power play, there's no clean replacement for what he does at the top.

The timing matters just as much as the injury itself.

The Avalanche are pushing toward the postseason, and any disruption to their top unit changes the outlook quickly.

For now, the early exit keeps things uncertain.

He dominated the game. Then disappeared from it.

That's the part that sticks.

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