Makar out at least 2 games with head injury after Carter hit

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar announced superstar defenseman Cale Makar will miss at least two games with a head injury, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter hit Makar high in Tuesday's overtime loss. He briefly left the contest but ultimately returned.

Jeff Carter catches Cale Makar high with blind side contact, not pretty#GoAvsGo | #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/VxvdfeHz90

- Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 8, 2023

The NHL Department of Player Safety didn't review the hit, and it wasn't deemed a penalty in real time.

Makar and the Avalanche voiced their displeasure with the hit after the contest. The reigning Norris and Conn Smythe winner called it "pretty blindside," while Bednar said Carter "skated right through" Makar's head.

The Avalanche will be without Makar for Thursday's Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Tampa Bay Lightning as well as Saturday's clash against the Florida Panthers. Colorado returns home for another contest with the Bolts on Feb. 14.

Makar missed four games earlier this season with an upper-body injury. He's putting together yet another spectacular campaign with 45 points in 45 appearances while logging over 27 minutes per contest.

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