Jared Bednar drops big injury update on Cale Makar ahead of Game 2

The Avalanche are not just getting a star back in the lineup. They are keeping their entire blue line structure intact after a wild 9-6 Game 1 win over Minnesota.

Makar left early after taking contact from Marcus Foligno along the end boards, then returned and changed the night.

His third period was the separator: 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 shots, and a +2 rating in 17:11.

Colorado’s top pair drives more than offense. It controls exits, tempo, matchups, and the first touch on the power play.

Makar went into the boards, disappeared from the bench rhythm, then came back with the same jump.

Bednar saying Makar will be good to go removes the biggest question hanging over Colorado before puck drop Tuesday at Ball Arena.

Without him, the Avalanche would have needed Devon Toews to absorb even more hard minutes after playing 27:35 in Game 1.

Instead, Bednar can keep his pairs closer to plan and avoid forcing depth defenders into shifts they are not built to handle.

Minnesota gave Colorado problems, scored 6, and still left Game 1 down in the series.

Makar’s return means the Wild still have to attack through Colorado’s best transition defender, not a patched-up version of the blue line.

Game 1 was chaos. Game 2 now becomes a test of whether Colorado can tighten the bench without losing the pace that Makar gives them.