Colorado Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar won't return to Thursday's game against the Ottawa Senators due to lower-body injuries, the team announced.
MacKinnon was fifth in NHL scoring with 30 points in 19 games entering Thursday's contest, while Makar ranked third in points among defensemen with 23 in 18 games.
Makar favored his right leg on a noncontact play. He returned for a brief 23-second shift before leaving the game for good.
MacKinnon took a cross-check from Senators defenseman Artem Zub late in the second period.
The Avs are without Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the third. #NHL https://t.co/8GWoSsiM1Q
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 13, 2026
MacKinnon led the NHL in goals last season with 53. He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2024.
Makar is a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman, most recently winning in 2025.
The Avalanche are 11-6-2 and third in the Central Division.
