Colorado Avalanche injury update: Cale Makar to miss time with upper-body injury ahead of playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche say star defenceman Cale Makar will “miss some time” with an upper-body injury, though the team insists it is not serious.

Makar was injured during a 9-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Monday. He recorded three assists before leaving the game late in the second period and did not return for the third.

Head coach Jared Bednar said the team is taking a cautious approach as the playoffs approach.

"He's doing OK," Bednar said. "He's going to miss some time, though. Like nothing serious, like nothing that's putting (the) playoffs in jeopardy or anything like that. ... It's like if someone has something going on this time of year, we want to make sure they're right for (the) playoffs and last handful of games of the season. So yeah, we're going to keep him out for a little bit."

Bednar confirmed Makar will not be ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.

The Avalanche, who have already secured a playoff spot, have nine games left before the post-season begins on April 18.

Makar has been one of the league’s top defencemen this season, with 75 points in 73 games.