Cale Makar's absence was deeply felt as the Colorado Avalanche lost 4-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Wednesday night. The star defenseman was sidelined with an upper-body injury.

What happened?

The Avalanche struggled to fill the void left by Makar, experimenting with different line combinations. Devon Toews logged 27 minutes and 32 seconds, while Brett Kulak played just over 23 minutes.

Why it matters for Cale Makar

Makar's injury is a significant blow to the Avalanche, as he has been a key player in their playoff run. He has four goals and an assist, averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time through the opening two rounds.

The Avalanche coach, Jared Bednar, acknowledged the impact of Makar's absence, saying "there's definitely a trickle-down effect to that." He added that the team needs to find a way to adapt without their star defenseman.

What comes next?

Makar's availability for Game 2 on Friday night remains unknown. However, Bednar said that Makar was "doing a lot better" after the morning skate on Wednesday. The Avalanche will need to regroup and find a way to overcome the loss of their top defenseman if they hope to even the series.

The Golden Knights capitalized on the Avalanche's struggles, with Dylan Coghlan scoring a key goal by splitting the defense down the middle. The Avalanche trailed 3-0 before making it a one-goal game with 2:21 remaining on a power-play tally from captain Gabriel Landeskog.

Cale Makar has not practiced with the team since leaving the ice holding his right arm following a collision late in Game 5 against Minnesota last Wednesday. His absence was felt deeply in Game 1, and the Avalanche will need to find a way to replace his production if they hope to advance in the playoffs.

The Avalanche's special teams will also need to step up without Makar, who is an integral part of the unit. Logan O'Connor, an Avalanche forward, praised Makar's unique abilities, saying "he's not going to be easily replaced."

The series will continue on Friday night, with the Avalanche looking to even the series and the Golden Knights seeking to take a 2-0 lead. Cale Makar's status remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Avalanche need him back on the ice if they hope to make a deep playoff run.

Makar's injury is a reminder of the physicality and unpredictability of the NHL playoffs. The Avalanche will need to adapt and overcome if they hope to achieve their goals, and Cale Makar's return to the lineup would be a significant boost to their chances.

The Western Conference Final is shaping up to be a closely contested series, with both teams battling for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Avalanche will need to find a way to overcome the loss of Cale Makar and regroup for Game 2 on Friday night.

The Vegas Golden Knights' win in Game 1 gives them a 1-0 lead in the series, and they will look to build on that momentum in Game 2. The Avalanche, on the other hand, will need to bounce back and find a way to win without their star defenseman.

Cale Makar's status for Game 2 remains uncertain, but the Avalanche will need him back on the ice if they hope to make a deep playoff run. The team will need to adapt and overcome his absence, and find a way to replace his production on the ice.

The NHL playoffs are known for their intensity and physicality, and the Western Conference Final is no exception. The Avalanche and Golden Knights will battle it out on the ice, with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Avalanche's loss in Game 1 is a setback, but they will look to regroup and bounce back in Game 2. Cale Makar's return to the lineup would be a significant boost to their chances, but they will need to find a way to win without him if he is unable to play.

The series will continue on Friday night, with the Avalanche seeking to even the series and the Golden Knights looking to take a 2-0 lead. The Western Conference Final is shaping up to be a closely contested series, and the Avalanche will need to find a way to overcome the loss of Cale Makar if they hope to achieve their goals.