Makar returns to Avalanche lineup for Game 3 of West Final

Defenceman Cale Makar returned to the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup against the Vegas Golden Knights as they try to climb back into the series in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday.

Makar missed the first two games of the series due to an upper-body injury and finds his team down 2-0 with the series shifting to Vegas for Game 3.

The Avalanche have struggled to score without their superstar defenceman in the lineup against Vegas. After averaging 4.00 goals per game in winning eight of their first nine in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Avalanche have mustered just three goals in two losses to the Golden Knights this round.

The 27-year-old Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner for the league’s best defenceman, finished with 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games this season - the third most points among defencemen in the league. He has four goals and five points in nine games in the playoffs to this point.

“Obviously, Cale helps in so many different areas; you can’t put in a new guy in the lineup and replace him, but you can make sure you’re focused and prepared to play your best game,” Bednar said on Sunday. “I don’t think that happened with our group on the back end for the first two [games in this series], probably mostly with puck-management efficiency, moving out of the [defensive] zone, neutral zone, limiting turnovers. So, it’s an area I expect we’ll be better at tonight, like we talked about.”

Devon Toews took Makar’s spot on the top power-play unit, a group that usually features only one defenceman for the Avalanche. He told reporters ahead of Game 3 that the team is just focusing on playing their best, whether Makar is able to go or not.

“I think you just have to play your game,” Toews said Sunday. “You’re going to get a few extra minutes [and] they’re going to be spread out a little bit differently. That’s why we have depth back there.

“We’re confident with the guys we’ve got. It’s just on us to get the job done and limit their chances and go help on the offensive side as well.”

Scott Wedgewood returns to the crease after dropping the first two games of the series in Colorado. He has a 7-3 record in the playoffs with a 2.30 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

The Avalanche won the Presidents’ Trophy this season with 121 points in the regular season, but are now in danger of the Golden Knights claiming a commanding 3-0 lead.

Only four teams have come back from a 3-0 series deficit, with the last coming during the first round of the 2014 playoffs when the Los Angeles Kings completed the comeback against the San Jose Sharks.