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Mar 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) celebrates his goal scored against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche are getting a huge boost to their lineup on Sunday. Superstar defenseman Cale Makar will dress in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena.
Makar took part in pre-game warm-ups, donning his usual assistant captain ‘A’ and taking line rushes with his usual partner Devon Toews. The other two defense pairings will return to what they looked like at full health, reuniting Sam Malinski with Brett Kulak and pushing Josh Manson to the left side with fellow veteran Brent Burns.
Before the game, head coach Jared Bednar instead chose to keep the superstar defenseman’s status under wraps, veering off the path of what he had done in the first two games of the series. Makar did not play in either of those
“You’ll have to wait and see,” Bednar said when asked if Makar would play.
Without Makar in the two games at Ball Arena, the Avs struggled with particular parts of the games that are his strengths. They lost each one, scoring just three total goals, to fall behind 2-0 in the series. It’s rare for teams to erase two-game deficits, especially when the two losses are at home. But it’s even tougher to dig out of a three-game hole.
All that’s to say, this is an absolute must-win game for Colorado.
Bednar is also making other lineup changes. Most notably, Nazem Kadri is shifting to the wing to join the top six. The line combinations from warm-ups are below.
Puck drop for Game 3 is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. MT.
The post Superstar Defenseman Cale Makar Returns For Avalanche in Game 3 appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.
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