Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar out at least 2 games

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz (39) reaches for a rebound, while Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) is defended by Avalanche’s Cale Makar (8) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

by: Colleen Flynn

Posted: Feb 9, 2023 / 11:38 AM MST

Updated: Feb 9, 2023 / 03:08 PM MST

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DENVER (KDVR) – Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said prior to Thursday night’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning that Cale Makar will be out for at least the next two games due to a head injury.

”We just kind of keep an eye on it day by day and see how it goes,” Bednar said. ”He’s going to miss the remainder of this road trip at minimum.”

Makar took a hit to the head from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter in Tuesday night’s game. He initially passed concussion protocol to return to the game.

“He skated right through his head, that’s what I saw. I didn’t even talk to the ref,” Bednar said following the 2-1 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. “I couldn’t tell you if they even saw it. You gotta keep playing.”

Bednar said the league reviewed the play and there is no post-disciplinary action being taken. There was no penalty called after the hit either.

“I felt like, you know, that’s one of the things we’re trying to get out of the game, and he obviously clips him in the head so I would like to have seen a penalty called on the play at the minimum,” Bednar said Thursday.

“But the league’s looked at it, deeming there’s no supplementary discipline, which is fine. It’s just like we’re more concerned about Cale and his health at this point.”

The Avalanche face off against the Lightning Thursday at 5 p.m. MT at Amalie Arena for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in Florida on June 26, 2022. But this time, they’ll play the previous two-time Stanley Cup champs without the Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy-winning defenseman.

The Avs will remain in Florida for the rest of the week and hop down to Sunrise to play the Florida Panthers on Saturday before returning to Ball Arena against the Lightning on Feb. 14.

So far this season, Makar has missed four games due to injury. The team has been plagued with rotating injuries but is getting closer to having long-term players back on the ice. Gabriel Landeskog, who has been out since the beginning of the season, is expected back by March or possibly sooner.

Makar has 13 goals and 32 assists in 45 games so far this season and was one of three Avalanche players to represent the team at the NHL All-Star game in Florida last weekend.