Makar suspended for 1 playoff game for late hit that took out Kraken’s Jared McCann

SEATTLE — Though Seattle clinched its second Stanley Cup Playoffs win against Colorado in Game 4 at home on Monday, the hard-fought 3-2 win in overtime came at a price.

Kraken left wing and top scorer Jared McCann was hurt in the first period by a controversial high hit from Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.

Late Monday night, Root Sports reporter and host Piper Shaw reported that coach Dave Hakstol said McCann would not be available to the team “going forward” as the Kraken continues its first-round playoff battle.

Game footage showed that Makar made the hit when the puck was nowhere near McCann. It flattened the winger, who then rolled over from his back onto his stomach, and then struggled onto his hands and knees, with his head down, as players and team staff came to his aid.

He was eventually helped off the ice into the locker room and did not return.

To make matters worse, officials first assessed Makar’s hit as a five-minute major penalty for interference, but after a review of video footage, the penalty was lowered to a two-minute minor.

Already angered by the late hit, the decision brought loud boos from the crowd at Climate Pledge, and Makar’s hit was not forgotten for the rest of the night.

As the game continued, every time the Avalanche’s number 8 took possession of the puck, the Kraken Nation boos were unmistakable.

The extent of McCann’s injuries has not been released.

Makar’s hit against McCann was reviewed by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday.

He was suspended for one playoff game.

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