The Colorado Avalanche announced that both defenceman Cale Makar and goaltender Philipp Grubauer are day-to-day with respective injuries.
Cale Makar (upper body) and Philipp Grubauer (lower body) are day-to-day.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7jtoMSRqmL
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 9, 2019
Makar and Grubauer Out Of The Lineup
Makar is dealing with an upper-body injury. He suffered the injury during the Avalanche’s 4-1 win on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins. It is unclear exactly what is ailing Makar. The injury occurred when he took a hit from Brad Marchand during the third period. He left the game for a period of time before returning to the bench.
Makar did not take the morning skate prior to the team’s game against the Calgary Flames on Monday night. Makar is the front runner for the Calder Trophy. In 29 games this season, Makar has recorded 28 points (eight goals and 16 assists) with 12 of those points coming on the power play.
Grubauer, on the other hand, is dealing with a lower-body injury. He will not play against the Flames on Monday night. Like Makar, Grubauer suffered his injury during the team’s win against the Bruins on Saturday night. He made his way down the tunnel after giving up a breakaway goal in the first period. Though Grubauer returned to the bench, he did not get back in the game as Pavel Francouz came in to replace him.
Grubauer felt good enough to go tonight after taking the morning skate, however, the team deemed him not ready to go. Francouz will get the start against the Flames.
The Avalanche also announced that Nazem Kadri is dealing with a lower-body injury. Kadri will miss his third straight game. It is unclear when the injury occurred as he logged 17:27 of ice time in last Wednesday’s win over his former club the Toronto Maple Leafs. J.T. Compher is expected to continue centreing the second line.
Going Forward
With Francouz getting the start the Avalanche were in need of a backup goalie. Colorado recalled Adam Werner from the AHL. Werner appeared in two games this season for the Avalanche.
The injuries continue to pile up for the Avalanche. Colorado is already without Erik Johnson (lower-body), and Colin Wilson (upper-body). Losing Makar and Grubauer will be a tough blow. Despite all this, the Avalanche continue to roll along.
However, Makar’s absence could have some ramifications for the Avalanche’s production. Calle Rosen will get back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the past two contests. Rosen is playing with Nikita Zadorov on the top pairing. Rosen, Zadorov, and Samuel Girard are all candidates to take over Makar’s power-play minutes.
The news is not all bad. There is a chance Makar could return to the lineup sometime towards the end of the week. If the Avalanche can survive this stretch, they will be in the driver’s seat as the season progresses.
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