Colorado entered the playoffs as a dominant team, winning most of its early series and appearing poised to end the Presidents’ Trophy curse. Vegas took control by winning Game 1 4-2 and then winning again 3-1, including two third-period goals and an empty-net goal. Colorado’s struggles are tied to goaltending and defensive issues, with Carter Hart outplaying Scott Wedgewood. The most significant factor is Cale Makar’s absence due to a shoulder injury, missing the last two games. Makar’s role as a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman affects Colorado’s offense, defensive structure, and key in-game decision-making, making his impact difficult to replace.
"The Avs were the juggernaut of the NHL this year, and after going 8-1 through the first two rounds of the playoffs (the second against a very tough Minnesota squad), they looked like the betting favorite to break the Presidents' Trophy curse-that no team who posted the best regular season record in an 82-game campaign has gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup since 2008. But against a Vegas group who looked to have a decided disadvantage, all their swagger and beauty has been caked in mud. The Knights triumphed 4-2 in Game 1 on the road, and then on Friday, they scored two goals in the third period (plus an empty netter) to grab another win, 3-1."
"What's gone so wrong? Well, in the NHL playoffs, you can always point to the crease. Carter Hart, who returned to the league after he was found not guilty in a sexual assault trial, is outplaying Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood, a 33-year-old journeyman who'd enjoyed a randomly dominant regular season. That's part of the difference, but an even more stressful issue for the Avalanche has been the absence of Cale Makar, who's missed the last two games due to a shoulder injury."
"One ailment is rarely enough to torpedo a great hockey team, but taking Makar out of the Avs' lineup is about as close as you can get to the impact of removing a star quarterback from a football team-at least for the 25 minutes per night that Makar is usually on the ice. The reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman, Makar has played an irreplaceable part in the Avalanche's success since he first suited up in 2019. He sits in the proverbial command chair during the game's most important moments, directing the Colorado offense and freeing the team's mighty scorers for the best possible chances."
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