Avalanche's Bednar expects Makar back for playoffs

The injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche got some good news on Tuesday.

Though there's still no specific timeline for defenseman Cale Makar's return, head coach Jared Bednar considers the star "day-to-day" and anticipates him being back for the playoffs, he said during an appearance on Altitude Sports Radio.

"He's feeling better. He's eyeing a return. We don't want to rush it. We want him feeling good come playoff time," he said. "We're managing some of those injuries in a way that we don't want them to pop back up. ... We expect him to be back.

"We're not worried about his return for playoffs; we're trying to get him feeling as best he can possibly feel before that date. I'd like to get him in a game this week if everything goes well."

There are three games remaining on the Avalanche's regular-season schedule, beginning Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. Makar has sat out the last four games with a lower-body injury.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner has played in 60 of the Avalanche's 79 games so far in 2022-23, putting up 17 goals and 49 assists while averaging over 26 minutes of ice time a night. He's been sidelined by an upper-body issue, a head injury, and a different lower-body ailment this campaign.

Bednar also told reporters Tuesday that he expects blue-liner Josh Manson to be ready for the postseason. Manson hasn't played since March 1 due to a lower-body ailment and missed 31 games earlier in the season due to injury. He's only suited up for 27 matchups, chipping in with 10 points.

Though Bednar acknowledged that he wants injured players like Makar to see some playing time prior to the playoffs, that might not end up being the case.

"I would love to get all our guys back to play a game or two," he said, per The Denver Gazette's Kyle Fredrickson. "I don't know if that's going to happen, though. So, am I comfortable with them coming in Game 1 of the playoffs? Yeah, I don't have a choice, really.

"It's not something I control. ... We've seen our guys come back after long stretches and play real well."

The Avalanche have been red-hot as of late, winning eight of their last 10 games.

The defending Stanley Cup champions clinched their spot in the playoffs last week and are currently in a battle for the top spot in the Central Division with a 49-24-6 record.

Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy last season after leading the Avalanche with 29 points in 20 playoff games.