When will Cale Makar return from injury to Avalanche?

[ASFN Admin]

The Colorado Avalanche have been without star defenseman Cale Makar for the first two games of the Western Conference Final and are facing a pivotal Game 3 on Sunday.

Headed into Sunday's Game 3, the Avalanche trail the Vegas Golden Knights 2-0 after failing to capture a game at home. The series now shifts to Vegas, with the Golden Knights holding all of the momentum and the Avalanche facing down a must-win Game 3 to keep themselves in the series.

While Makar's absence hasn't been the only reason why the Avalanche have faltered in the first few games of this series, the star defenseman adds a big element to Colorado's game and they have surely missed him as he's battled an upper-body injury. Ahead of Sunday night's game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said that the team will have to "wait and see" if Makar returns to the lineup, but things looked optimistic heading into the evening.

Avs coach Jared Bednar said we’ll have to “wait and see” if Cale Makar returns tonight as well.

All signs point to Makar giving it a go as his team trails 0-2. Makar has been working hard in the gym and testing the injury at skates. Will see how warmup goes.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 24, 2026

So, what's Makar's status for Game 3?

According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, Makar is taking part in pregame warmups and is expected to play!

Cale Makar is taking warmups and is expected to return for the Avalanche in a pivotal Game 3. https://t.co/xzojGXDB2p

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 24, 2026

What is Cale Makar's injury?​

It hasn't been disclosed officially, but it seems to be an upper-body injury sustained in Game 5 of Colorado's series against the Minnesota Wild.

What was the Cale Makar collision that may have caused the injury?​

Cale Makar has headed to the locker room after an apparent upper-body injury pic.twitter.com/7vu1KzEj9w

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 14, 2026

Makar collided into Ryan Hartman and came up holding his shoulder or upper arm. He headed to the locker room after that.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Cale Makar injury update: What is Avs star's status for Game 3?

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