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Avalanche Lose Star Defenseman Makar for Conference Final Game 1

5/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is ruled out of Game 1 of the Conference Final on May 20, 2026 after a late-March upper-body injury against the Minnesota Wild.
Jack Ahcan will replace Makar, with Sam Malinski, Devon Toews, Josh Manson and Brent Burns also available.
Makar, who posted four goals and one assist in nine playoff games, is hailed as the best defenseman, making his loss a blow to Colorado's 8-1 postseason record.

History

Historical Context

After financial strain forced the Quebec Nordiques to move to Denver in May 1995, the franchise captured the Stanley Cup in its first season (1996) behind defenseman Adam Foote, the last Nordiques alumnus to retire in 2011. Decades later, defense star Cale Makar, who earned the Conn Smythe and Norris trophies in 2022, continues the team’s tradition of relying on elite blueliners.

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Story summary

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is ruled out of Game 1 of the Conference Final on May 20, 2026 after a late-March upper-body injury against the Minnesota Wild.
Jack Ahcan will replace Makar, with Sam Malinski, Devon Toews, Josh Manson and Brent Burns also available.
Makar, who posted four goals and one assist in nine playoff games, is hailed as the best defenseman, making his loss a blow to Colorado's 8-1 postseason record.

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