Unexpected Absences: How Mark Stone and Cale Makar’s Game 2 Sidelines Could Change the Western Conference Final Forever
Matchups, Special Teams, And Pressure
The coaching matchup becomes critical in a game like this. Colorado coach Jared Bednar has to decide which defense pair he trusts against Vegas’ most dangerous forwards without the safety net of Makar. He may shelter certain pairings from defensive‑zone faceoffs and lean heavily on his top forwards to help down low.
Special teams also take on more weight. Without Makar, Colorado’s top power‑play unit loses its primary shooter and zone‑entry specialist from the point. That can lead to more perimeter play and fewer clean looks through the seam. Vegas, missing Stone’s instincts on the penalty kill, must stay structured and avoid extended scramble sequences that let Colorado’s skill players find space.
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