logo
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
NHL Notebook: Makar missing in Game 1 Avalanche loss, Sabres extend Lindy Ruff
alt
Photo credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Alicia LaBine
May 21, 2026, 13:00 EDTUpdated: May 21, 2026, 13:32 EDT
Comments
The Vegas Golden Knights capitalized on the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night, following the announcement that superstar defenceman Cale Makar would not be available for Game 1 of the series.
Makar participated in Wednesday’s morning skate, however, head coach Jared Bednar announced he wouldn’t be ready to play. He is battling an undisclosed upper-body injury, and is listed as day-to-day.
The defenceman, who had four goals and five points in nine postseason games, was nominated for the Norris Trophy for the sixth consecutive season. Now, the Avalanche have been forced to navigate the onset of this Western Conference Final series without one of their superstars.
Game 1 ended by a 4-2 score after the Avalanche made an attempt at a late comeback, scoring both of their goals in the third period, the second with just 2:21 left on the clock. However, an empty net goal from Nic Dowd sealed the deal for the Golden Knights, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Mitch Marner, a current favourite to win the Conn Smythe trophy, tallied another assist that put him on the highlight reels last game, as he provided the primary helper to Pavel Dorofeyev’s 10th goal of the playoffs, the most in the league.
Brett Howden and Dylan Coghlan also capitalized on the Avalanche’s damaged defence corps, recording their ninth and first goal of the playoffs, respectively.
The Golden Knights have stolen home ice advantage from the Avalanche, and they look to take a 2-0 series lead on the road on Friday evening at 6 p.m. MT. As for the Avalanche, they will like their odds better if Makar is available for the Game 2 matchup.

Sabres re-sign Lindy Ruff

Lindy Ruff’s return to the Buffalo Sabres bench will extend another two years, after the organization announced his contract renewal on Wednesday.
The Sabres made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years this season, as Lindy Ruff reassumed his position in Buffalo, and the squad finished first in the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2009-10. Then, they went on to beat the Boston Bruins in six games to advance to the second round, marking the first series win since 2007.
Their success saw Ruff receive the nod as a Jack Adams Trophy finalist, which makes him one of the top three coaches in the league this season. After returning to Buffalo in 2024, the 2025-26 season marked his 17th with the Sabres. His first tenure was from 1997-2013.
He has coached 1,938 NHL games, and his 950 wins find him fourth all-time, behind Scotty Bowman, Joel Quenneville, and Paul Maurice. Next season, Ruff could become the third head coach in NHL history to oversee 2,000 games.

Allvin officially leaves Canucks

Patrik Allvin was fired as the Vancouver Canucks general manager on April 17. Now, he will be leaving the organization completely, according to Darren Dreger.
There was chatter about Allvin remaining with the Canucks in some capacity following his dismissal, however with Wednesday’s news, that will not be the case.
The Canucks have seen a massive overhaul in their management this offseason, after finishing second last in the entire league this past season.
First Allvin was fired, then Jim Rutherford announced he would be stepping down as president of hockey operations, and Tuesday head coach Adam Foote was the latest to be relieved of his duties.
This has paved the way for the Sedin twins (Henrik and Daniel) to be promoted to co-presidents of hockey operations and Ryan Johnson to be named as the team’s new general manager. Vancouver has joined two other Canadian teams – the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs – in the hunt for a new head coach.
Allvin had been with the Canucks since 2022, when he was first hired as the general manager. In his four and a half seasons with the Canucks, they made the playoffs once while winning the Pacific Division, before getting kicked out of contention by the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Round 2.
Now the Canucks, who have never won the Stanley Cup, are hoping the new management acquisitions will develop a winning culture.

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS

-
The Toyota Tacoma is the ultimate power play. Its standard i-FORCE engine delivers more power than ever and a towing capacity of up to 6,400 lbs. It helps you take on challenging landscapes with confidence with its available Panoramic Multi-Terrain View Monitor that provides a live, underfloor view of the terrain you’re tackling. It even makes loading and unloading gear effortless with its available Power Liftgate. Whether it’s for early morning practice or weekend away games, the Tacoma is a teammate you can rely on. Visit your local Prairie Toyota dealer during Red Tag Days for limited-time offers.
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News