Avalanche coach Jared Bednar to miss two games after taking puck to the face

Corey Masisak, The Denver Post on Apr 12, 2026

Published in Hockey

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DENVER — Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar will miss the next two games after getting hit in the face with a puck Saturday night.

Bednar has sustained “facial fractures and a corneal abrasion,” the club announced Saturday. He was taken to a local hospital Saturday night after getting hit in the right side of his face during the third period of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at Ball Arena.

The injuries will not require surgery at this time. Bednar will not travel with the Avs to Alberta, Canada, for a two-game road trip against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames on Monday and Tuesday.

Assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will coach the team during those two games. They split up duties to finish the contest Saturday night against Vegas.

Colorado, which has clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the NHL, will conclude its regular season Thursday night at home against the Seattle Kraken. The Avs are expected to begin play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs either Sunday or Monday, with Games 1 and 2 of the opening round against a to be determined opponent at home.

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