The absence of Cale Makar has become the biggest reason the Colorado Avalanche suddenly find themselves trailing 0-2 heading into Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.

Cale Makar is back. Makar will return for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights after missing the first two contests in this series with an upper-body injury. The two-time Norris Trophy winner was on the ice for warmups and took line rushes with normal partner Devon Toews.

LAS VEGAS -- Cale Makar returned for the Colorado Avalanche in 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday. The defenseman, who missed the first two games of the series because of an upper-body injury, had three shots in a game-high 27:14 of ice time.

There's no doubt that the biggest question coming into Game 3 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday night is whether or not Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar will be healthy enough to play for the first time in this series.

Cale Makar has been dealing with an apparent upper-body injury. Isaiah J. Downing / Imagn Images DENVER — Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar won’t play in Game 2 of the Western Conference final Friday night as he continues to work his way ...