Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is sidelined with an injury during the early portion of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights. Multiple reports say Makar does not play in Game 1, with an upper-body injury cited as the cause. Before Game 1, he is seen on the ice prior to the morning skate but he does not practice on Tuesday, and other coverage notes he misses practice the day before Game 1. After missing Game 1, he also remains out for Game 2, as Colorado continues without him while the team navigates the series. Later reporting indicates Makar returns in time to play in Game 3, suggesting his injury recovery progresses between the first two games. Across the sources, the consistent points are the type of injury being upper-body, his absence from Game 1, continued absence for Game 2, and a return for Game 3. No other injury details are provided in the excerpts, and the reporting centers on his availability and practice status leading into each game.