Why is Cale Makar out for Avalanche in Game 1 vs. Golden Knights?

[ASFN Admin]

It's huge news for the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday as the President' Trophy winners get ready for Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights: Superstar defenseman Cale Makar is OUT.

Why? What's the injury? What happened? Here's what we do know: He's out for Game 1, per Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar and he's listed as day-to-day. Makar reportedly did skate on Wednesday morning, but he's out.

That's all we know for now, and we'll update this post as we know more. Makar did play in Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild and left the ice after a collision.

Here's what else you may want to know:

Cale Makar skated alone, before practice, this morning here in Denver. No doubt the coach will deem him a game-time decision in about an hour pic.twitter.com/tNn0IkxVgV

— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) May 20, 2026

Cale Makar will miss Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. Avs say their star defenseman is day-to-day.

Makar skated this morning. Everyone else, including Artturi Lehkonen, is good to go. Jack Ahcan is in for Makar.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 20, 2026

Jared Bednar announces Cale Makar won’t play Game 1

Officially listed as day-to-day

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 20, 2026

What is Cale Makar's injury?​

It hasn't been disclosed as of publishing this. We'll update this when we know more.

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

He banged 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: Why Avalanche defenseman will miss Game 1

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