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  "path": "/the-avalanches-season-hinges-on-cale-makars-busted-shoulder",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-24T17:14:39.000Z",
  "site": "https://defector.com",
  "tags": [
    "NHL",
    "2026 nhl playoffs",
    "cale makar",
    "colorado avalanche",
    "nhl playoffs",
    "vegas golden knights",
    "running with"
  ],
  "textContent": "I'm generally loath to make the same pun that all the other media outlets are running with, but the Colorado Avalanche's current situation makes it irresistible. So here goes: Dude, where's Makar?\n\nThe 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.\n\nWhat'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.",
  "title": "The Avalanche’s Season Hinges On Cale Makar’s Busted Shoulder"
}