Avalanche Star Makar Exits Game with Injury

Defenseman leaves with upper-body issue in loss to Flames

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:32am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey player in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the team colors of the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames.An Avalanche star's injury raises concerns about the team's playoff push.Denver Today

Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar left Monday's game against the Calgary Flames in the second period due to an upper-body injury and did not return for the third period.

Why it matters

Makar is a key player for the Avalanche, who are fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Any extended absence could be a major blow to their postseason hopes.

The details

Makar was injured late in the second period and did not come out for the third. The Avalanche did not provide any further details on the nature or severity of the injury. Makar has been a dominant two-way force for Colorado this season, leading all NHL defensemen in scoring.

  • The incident occurred late in the second period of Monday's game against the Calgary Flames.
  • Makar did not return to the ice for the third period.

The players

Cale Makar

A star defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who leads all NHL blueliners in scoring this season.

Colorado Avalanche

An NHL team based in Denver, Colorado that is fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

Calgary Flames

The Avalanche's opponent on Monday, another NHL team based in Calgary, Alberta.

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What’s next

The Avalanche will provide an update on Makar's status and the severity of his injury in the coming days. His availability for Colorado's next game and the rest of the season will be a major storyline to follow.

The takeaway

Makar's injury is a significant concern for the Avalanche, who rely heavily on their star defenseman's two-way play and offensive production. Any extended absence could be a major blow to their playoff hopes in a tight Western Conference race.