Jared Bednar’s Injury Impact on Colorado Avalanche

Jared Bednar, the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, is aiming for his second Stanley Cup but will be absent for the rest of the regular season due to an injury.

During overtime in a game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Bednar was struck in the face by a puck, resulting in facial fractures and corneal abrasions. Fortunately, he won’t need surgery and is expected to recover in time for the playoffs, as confirmed by the team.

“It’s definitely a bit unsettling. It’s always alarming when a puck comes at you like that,” said assistant coach Nolan Pratt after the game. “It happens often, but unfortunately, it did this time, so it’ll take a moment to recalibrate and move forward.”

In the meantime, Pratt and Dave Hakstol are likely to lead the team in the final two games against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

The Avalanche clinched the top seed in the Western Conference with 115 points. They previously won the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Star player Nathan MacKinnon is having a phenomenal season, leading the NHL with 52 goals and ranking third with 74 assists and 126 points overall, just behind Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Connor McDavid of the Oilers.

Under Bednar’s leadership, the Avalanche have qualified for the playoffs in nearly every season.