The Colorado Avalanche (Avs) trailed 1-0 after the first period against the Buffalo Sabres, with JJ Peterka scoring the goal. In the second period, the Avs fell behind 3-0, and Cale Makar got injured when he was shoved into the boards by Kyle Okposo. Makar went straight to the dressing room but later returned to the bench for the third period. The Avs were unhappy with the no-call on the play. Despite Makar's return, the Avs lost the game 3-0.
#Avs coach Jared Bednar said he didn’t love the way Kyle Okposo played the situation that led to Cale Makar crashing into the boards. Also said he wished the officials had thicker skin when MacKinnon got the 2+10 right after they missed a call/decided not to call anything.
Kyle Okposo spoke to Cale Makar briefly after the game and explained that he wasn’t trying to push him or apply pressure to cause that collision with the end boards. Okposo tried a stick lift, then intended to skate around Makar to the right. Okposo was relieved Makar is OK.
NEW 📰 @MileHighSports Cale Makar was shoved into the endboards by Buffalo's Kyle Okposo, who escaped without a penalty. Makar returned in the third period but periodically made trips back to the dressing room the rest of the way. https://t.co/WofwGV6iIL
In very good news, Cale Makar is back on the ice. The way he limped off, I didn't expect that. #Sabres #Avs
Cale Makar is back on the ice playing. He came to the bench to start the third, went to the room, and now is back on the ice.
Cale Makar is somehow back on the bench.
Cale Makar is on the bench for the start of the third period. He came out and skated, shaking his right leg a few times, before the end of the intermission.
Cale Makar is back for the third period. Great to see. Sabres lead 3-0, with goals by Peterka, Mittelstadt and Jost.
Cale Makar has returned for the third period.
Cale Makar heads to the locker room after this scray play. (🎥: @Sportsnet) https://t.co/4uZanWxNy4
Avs down 3-0, and have looked pretty awful. Makar injury just makes things worse.
END 2: The #Avs trail 3-0 to Buffalo and might've just lost Cale Makar, who got shoved into the boards and went straight to the dressing room. Nathan MacKinnon will also miss the start of the third as he finishes his 10-minute misconduct penalty.
Well, this just took a turn for the worse. Cale Makar just crashed very awkwardly into the boards. Kyle Okposo's stick was between his legs and his glove/arm was on Makar's back. Looked like maybe there was a nudge, but hard to tell. #Avs were not happy. Makar to the room.
Man, Makar's right knee went hard into the boards and his legs with split as Okposo went with the push from behind and the stick in the legs... #Sabres #Avs
Cale Makar gets shoved hard into the boards by Kyle Okposo. He goes straight to the dressing room. Looks like he might have hurt his leg on the play. No call, but Ross Colton goes after Okposo. This game has gone about as poorly as possible for Colorado.
Makar was off balance when Okposo pushed him. He stayed down and now heads to the room.
And now Makar is down. He’s struggling to get off the ice with the Avs head trainer.
Cale Makar going off the ice after sliding awkwardly into the end boards.
Big news here: Cale Makar in real trouble limping off after Okposo drilled him into the end boards. #Avs furious there was no call there. #Sabres
Cale Makar slow to get up after crashing into the end boards and heads to the room. Avs went after Kyle Okposo, but Makar simply lost an edge going for the puck.
END 1: The #Avs trail 1-0 after a JJ Peterka goal, but they'll start the second period with 90 seconds of power play time.