Cale Makar returned to the ice for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, but his team lost 5-3.
## What happened?
The Avalanche welcomed back their defensive star after he missed the first two games with an upper-body injury.
Vegas scored five unanswered goals to push the Avalanche to the brink of elimination.
The Golden Knights can return to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in four years with one more win.
## Why it matters for Cale Makar
Cale Makar's return was a significant boost for the Avalanche, but they still struggled to contain the Golden Knights' offense.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said his team was running a shorter bench due to injuries.
Leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon fought through an injury sustained in the second period.
## What comes next?
The Avalanche need to win the next game to stay in the series.
Cale Makar's performance will be crucial in the upcoming games.
The Avalanche had taken a 3-0 lead in the first period, but the Golden Knights tied the game with three straight goals.
And then MacKinnon left late in the second period after taking a slapshot to the side of his left knee.
But MacKinnon was back on the ice in the third period, finishing with 18:02 time on ice.
The 2024 Hart Trophy winner was averaging more than 21 minutes of playing time through the team's first 11 games.
So the Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game.
Vegas captain Mark Stone returned to the lineup after missing the last five games and finished with a goal and an assist.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
As the series continues, Cale Makar's presence will be vital for the Avalanche's success.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win to stay in the series.
But for now, the Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially after taking an early lead.
And the team will need to bounce back quickly to stay in the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, but the team's overall performance was disappointing.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game.
The series is far from over, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the upcoming games.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control of the series.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to regroup and come back stronger in the next game to stay in the series.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a setback, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's presence will be crucial in the upcoming games, and the team will need to build on his return.
The Golden Knights' win marked their fifth unanswered goal, stunning the announced crowd of 18,212.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche can still come back and win it.
But for now, the Golden Knights are in control, and the Avalanche will need to play better to catch up.
The Avalanche's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but they can still come back and win the series.
Cale Makar's return was a positive sign, and the team will need to build on that in the next game.
The Golden Knights' offense was too much for the Avalanche to handle, but they can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche will look to regroup and come back stronger in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is heating up, and the Avalanche will need to bring their A-game to stay in it.
The Golden Knights are one step closer to returning to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Avalanche can still come back and win the series.
The Avalanche's fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The team will need to play better defense to contain the Golden Knights' offense and come back stronger in the next game.
The Avalanche's next game will be a must-win, and Cale Makar will be a key player in the team's success.
The series is far from over, and the Avalanche