LAS VEGAS – Coach Jared Bednar was coy with the media on Sunday afternoon, but the grin on his face said it all. He was about to get Cale Makar back in his lineup.

The star defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche took warmups ahead of Game 3 and assumed his usual spot next to Devon Toews. A few minutes later, Makar was added to the official lineup sheet, marking his return to the Avalanche after missing the first two games of the season. Nick Blankenburg will exit the lineup with Makar’s return, and Scott Wedgewood will get the start again for Colorado.

In eight playoff games, Makar has four goals, five points, and is a +5 while averaging nearly 25 minutes a game. With his return to the lineup, the Avalanche will have all six of their regular defensemen in the lineup for the first time since Game 3 in Los Angeles.

The Golden Knights will also get a boost, as their captain Mark Stone will return to their lineup.