Makar back in concussion protocol, to miss at least 2 more games
Cale Makar won't be back in action until next week at the earliest.
The Colorado Avalanche superstar is back in concussion protocol and won't play in Colorado's next two games, head coach Jared Bednar said Tuesday.
"He had a delayed response again on his symptoms, so he's back under the protocol now, and that timetable automatically puts him out for this weekend," Bednar told Altitude Sports Radio.
"We'll be cautious with this and just trust the player again. He understands it because he's been through it before ... but we'll keep an eye on him and see how it goes."
The Avalanche were off Monday and next play Friday in a road contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado will then host the Calgary Flames on Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, and the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter hit Makar in the head during a win over Colorado on Feb. 7. Makar returned to that game after clearing protocol but experienced delayed symptoms and missed the Avalanche's next four contests.
The reigning Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner was back in the lineup for Saturday's win over the St. Louis Blues but exited after colliding with Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko. Though Makar returned to the game, he sat out Sunday's victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
The independent concussion spotter in Pittsburgh pulled Makar from the Feb. 7 contest before allowing him back in, but the one in St. Louis didn't remove him despite Makar grabbing his face after the collision, an Avalanche spokesman told The Athletic's Peter Baugh on Sunday.
The blue-liner said after the game against the Blues that his nose was bruised, but he attributed it to being struck by his visor.
Bednar said Sunday that Makar wasn't dealing with a head injury; he noted that - as far as he was aware - the dynamic defenseman sustained a bloody nose but "no real problems" because of the collision with Toropchenko.
Makar, 24, has been his typically electric self when healthy this season. He leads the NHL with 26:57 of average ice time, and he ranks among the league leaders at his position with 13 goals and 32 assists in 46 games.
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