NHL Buzz: Makar active for Avalanche against Jets

Colorado avalanche

Cale Makar will be active for the Avalanche in Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.

The defenseman was a game-winning decision after suffering a lower-body injury after taking a shift in the third period in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Makar had two assists and extended his season-opening point streak to 13 games (five goals, 18 assists).

“He made the trip, which is good news,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Thursday. “He was on the ice this morning. It seems to have gone pretty well. But it will be a decision about playing time.”

Forwards Valeri Nichushkin (suspended) and Jonathan Drouin (upper body) and goalkeeper Kaapo Kahkonen did not travel with the team.

Captain Gabriel Landeskog still has no timetable for returning from a cartilage transplant on his right knee, which he had on May 10, 2023.

“I don’t know if you can call it [a setback]. That’s what I said [Altitude Sports Radio this morning]” Bednar said Wednesday. “I think there have been ups and downs over the course of his rehab, especially now that he’s getting better and getting closer to the game. “He pushes himself into different areas and sometimes he responds well and moves on to the next thing move on, and then the next thing might not feel good to him. … And so right now he’s doing his job and going to the gym every day, and he’ll be back on the ice soon.”

Nichushkin is cleared to practice and will play when the Avalanche host the Washington Capitals on Nov. 15.

The 29-year-old forward has been in Phase 3 of the NHL/NHL Players’ Association’s Player Assistance Program since May 13. Last season, he set NHL career highs in goals (28) and points (53) in 54 games and was tied with Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers for the Stanley Cup Playoffs lead in goals (nine) before leaving for has been suspended without pay for at least six months. – Ryan Boulding