Avalanche star Cale Makar suspended 1 game for 'late hit' on Kraken leading scorer Jared McCann

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The Colorado Avalanche received another blow shortly after a crushing overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken that tied their first-round series at two games apiece.

Star defenseman Cale Makar is suspended for Game 5 on Wednesday night after his hit that knocked Jared McCann out of the game.

Early in the first period, Makar put McCann into the boards after McCann's short-handed breakaway opportunity was stopped by Alexandar Georgiev. The puck was out of play, but Makar still laid down the hit, which was ruled an interference penalty. 

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Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche checks Jared McCann #19 of the Seattle Kraken during the first period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.  (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Makar stayed in the game, but McCann lay on the ice before being attended to by medical staff. He eventually left the game and did not return, and Seattle has already ruled him out for Game 5 and possibly beyond.

Makar was initially assessed a five-minute major, but video replay switched the call. Despite the severity of the penalty decreasing in the game, Makar met with the NHL Department of Player Safety.

"It is important to note that McCann is in no way eligible to be checked on this play," the league said. "Makar finishes this hit well outside the allowable window for finishing a check. In addition, it is clear that Makar knows McCann is not in possession of the puck when he decides to deliver this hit.

"While we have heard Makar's assertion that he assumed the puck would bounce into