Avalanche's Cale Makar ruled out for Game 2 vs. Golden Knights - ESPN

DENVER — Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will miss Game 2 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar told reporters after morning skate that the two-time Norris Trophy winner would be out for a second consecutive game. Makar missed Game 1 with an upper-body injury.

Makar has been listed as day-to-day, but was still skating while being out of the lineup. He did drills Wednesday prior to Game 1 and was also skating Thursday at the team's facility.

Makar was also on the ice more than 30 minutes before the Avs' optional morning skate, doing various forechecking, movement, passing, positioning, receiving, shooting, and skating drills. He left the ice and returned to the dressing room 10 minutes before the optional skate that saw a large portion of the team participate.

Makar came back from the dressing room and was also on the ice for the optional skate.

Getting Makar back at some point means that the Avs will have their top defensive pairing fully restored as he'll be alongside Devon Toews for the first time since the series-clinching Game 5 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild. It'll also allow the Avs to have their primary quarterback return to their first-team power-play unit.

Makar initially left Game 5 holding his right arm after he was in a collision but returned as the Avs won in overtime after falling into a 3-0 deficit. Makar also left Game 1 against the Wild after he took a hit along the boards as his right leg flew into the air before hitting the ice.

Bednar said after the Avalanche's 4-2 loss in Game 1 that there was «a trickle-down effect» without Makar while also noting that the team needed to find a way in his absence.

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