Defenceman Cale Makar will be sidelined for the remaining two games of the Colorado Avalanche‘s eastern road trip after suffering a head injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Head coach Jared Bednar told reporters at practice that Makar will not be in the lineup Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Saturday against the Florida Panthers.
Makar, the defending Conn Smythe and Norris trophy winner, apparently suffered the injury on a hit from veteran Penguins forward Jeff Carter in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss.
The Calgary native has 13 goals and 32 assists for 45 points in 45 games this season.
The Avalanche have a rematch with their Stanley Cup opponents from last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Thursday, followed by a game Saturday in Sunrise, Fla., against the Florida Panthers.
The Avalanche return home for a game Feb. 14 against the Lightning.